A 70-year-old Catholic priest allegedly molested three minor girls when they visited him to seek blessings at his church office in Chendamangalam in Ernakulam district last month, the Kerala Police said on Friday.
The priest, George Padayatty, vicar of a Syrian Catholic Church in Chendamangalam, has been absconding after a case was registered against him in connection with the incident, police said.
He has been charged under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), an official at Vadakkekara Police Station told PTI.
According to the police, the incident occurred a month ago when the nine-year-old girls went to the priest's office to seek his blessings after service in the church.
also read
- CPI(M) Minister Saji Cherian in trouble as Kerala HC orders further probe into Constitution remark row
- Palakkad bypoll: CPI(M)’s newspaper ad sparks political storm on the eve of voting
- Union fisheries ministry adjudges Kerala 'Best marine state', J&K 'Best UT'
- Palakkad bypolls: Congress, BJP, CPI(M) keep fingers crossed as campaign ends on a high note
A source in the Syro-Malabar Church said Padayatty has been suspended by the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.
Padayatty has been directed to cooperate with the police investigation into the incident, sources said.