E/CN.4/2003/66 page 16 B. Late replies and additional information India 80. By a letter dated 29 October 2002, the Indian Government replied to a communication of 9 March 2001 (A/56/253, para. 42) concerning the refusal by the State of Karnataka to renew the residence permit of a French missionary, Fr. François-Marie Godest, who had worked in India among the poor since the age of 24. The reply is as follows: “The Government of India had earlier directed the State of Karnataka to keep Leave India Notice in respect of Father François-Marie Godest in abeyance. Father Godest was finally granted permission to stay in India till 19 December 2005 after withdrawing Leave India Notice.” 81. In response to a communication sent on 15 February 2001 (A/56/253, para. 40) concerning the arrest of an editor, T.V. Ramana Murty, for offending the religious sentiments of Muslims and incitement to animosity among religious groups, India transmitted the following reply to the Special Rapporteur on 19 July 2002: “The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that, on 14 December 2000, it received reliable information that objectionable articles had been published in the monthly magazine Vijaya Viharam for the month of December 2000. A case was registered against Mr. T.V. Ramana Murthy, editor and owner of the magazine, and his brother, Mr. T. Narasimha Murthy, coordinator of the magazine, who absconded following a police raid. The accused later filed for, and obtained, anticipatory bail. The High Court also issued directions to the police to release the printing press, computers, furniture, etc., belonging to Mr. T.V. Ramana Murthy. The charge sheet in this case was filed on 20 July 2001 and the case is pending trial.” Pakistan 82. By a letter dated 15 August 2002, the Permanent Mission of Pakistan informed the Special Rapporteur of the Supreme Court decision, dated 15 August 2002, to acquit Ayub Masih, on whose behalf the Special Rapporteur had sent a communication (E/CN.4/2002/73, para. 100) relating to blasphemy charges. 83. The Special Rapporteur thanks Pakistan and welcomes the decision. He nevertheless remains concerned at the fact that death sentences continue to be handed down for apostasy, as shown by the communications sent to Pakistan and mentioned in the present report. C. In situ visits and their follow-up 84. The Special Rapporteur considers that in situ visits are an essential element of his mandate, insofar as they facilitate dialogue and understanding and a balanced consideration of the complexities of the situation of freedom of religion or belief in a particular country.