Kerala: Rape case filed against priest

The complaint filed by the victim’s mother stated that when the girl went to meet the priest in her new dress, he commented on how she looked and asked her to come again. According to the mother, the girl said similar offers were made to other girls receiving the first Holy Communion.

When the girl went to parsonage again on Thursday, the priest undressed her and took photographs of her genitals through his mobile phone, the complaint stated.

However, police said medical examination did not show any evidence for penetration per se. They added that as the girl hailed from a poor family, the priest lured her with the offer of new dress for the holy communion ceremony.

Police have registered the case under section 376 of IPC and the Protection of the children from section offices Act. Section 66 (E) of the IT Act was also slapped on charges of photographing the girl. Fr Kokkan has been absconding since Thursday.

Thrissur Archdiocese spokesperson Fr Geo Kadavil said the Church would take action against the priest if the allegations were true. “We are trying to understand the truth. Definitely, he would face action as per the Church law,” said Kadavil.

The priest is a post graduate in social work.