Kerala: Pastor held for raping minor, to be produced in court today

Thiruvananthpuram, Feb 28: Kerala-Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery(48) will be produced before Koothuparamba magistrate court in Kannur on Tuesday for allegedly raping and impregnating a minor girl.

Vadakkumchery was on Monday arrested from Thrissur over sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl. The victim gave birth to a baby boy at a private hospital in Kannur after being allegedly raped by a priest in a church.

The accused then shifted the mother and baby to an orphanage in north Kerala's Wayanad district. The incident came to light after childline activists



informed the police about the same on Monday.

On enquiry, the minor girl said in a statement that she was raped by the priest in a church. It is also learnt that the victim's family did not inform anyone fearing social stigma.

Meanwhile, Vaddakumchiryil, the bishop of St Sebastian church has also confessed to the crime. According to sources, the victim's family lived near the church and the girl used to visit the church regularly.

Also, a case has been registered against a private hospital, for conducting the delivery without informing the police.