Raj school in sexual harassment row

JAIPUR: Bishop of Jaipur Oswald J Lewis has written to the Catholic Diocese of the city asking them to “fast and pray” for Georgish Britto, a priest who was booked under the Pocso Act last month for allegedly sending indecent messages to a Class 9 student at an Alwar school. The accused is currently in jail.

Britto, deputy principal and coordinator of the school, was accused of sending inappropriate messages on Whatsapp to the 15-year-old girl.

Sheeshram Meena, SHO of Alwar’s Aravali Vihar police station, said Britto and the minor got close and started chatting after he stood up for her when she was bullied by some schoolboys.

“During the chats, Britto wrote some inappropriate things. In the FIR, she also stated that Britto touched her inappropriately in school,” Meena added.

The FIR was lodged by the minor’s parents on April 18 and Britto booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

On April 24, Bishop Lewis wrote a letter to the clergy as well as members of Jaipur’s Catholic Diocese stating: “I request you to fast and pray that we may tide over this situation and that Fr Georgish Britto may have the strength and courage to bear the cross that the Lord has given him.”

Speaking on behalf of Bishop Lewis, Father Prasad from Bishop’s House said the messages sent by Britto were taken out of context.

He also added that the Bishop’s messages only highlighted the fact that the diocese could not disown Britto.

“We are like a family. Since he joined the diocese as a fulltime priest, he is also a part of the family. Bishop is his father now. So even if he has committed a mistake, we cannot disown him. If any crime is proved against him, he will undergo punishment as per the law. We can’t help it. Even then, we won’t disown him,” Prasad said.