5 nuns among 8 booked for ‘hiding’ rape of minor girl by Kerala priest

TH I RU VAN ANT HAP U RAM: Eight persons, including five nuns, were booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) on Saturday for allegedly covering up the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl by a church priest.

Vicar of the St Sebastian Church in Kottiyoor, Father Robin Vadakkumcherry, was arrested on February 27 for allegedly raping a minor who gave birth to a boy on February 17 at a Kuthuparamba private hospital.

“We are investigating all the angles. All accused will be arrested soon,” said Kannur SP Shiv Vikram. During investigation, police have found that there was an alleged attempt to cover up the whole incident and bail out the priest. The girl’s father, who belongs to an economically backward family, was also promised ₹10 lakh to own up the crime.

Though the hospital where the girl delivered the baby claimed that it was not aware of the rape, police reportedly found out that two doctors and a few staffers knew about the incident.

Two days after the delivery, the baby was discreetly shifted to an orphanage controlled by nuns. The superintendent of the orphanage and in-charge of the hospital are among the accused.

Meanwhile, the Mananthawady diocese, under which the accused priest worked, tendered an apology to the girl and her family. “I endure your pain and agony. And I am also in pain…,” said Mananthawady bishop Mar Jose Porunnedam in his apology.