Kerala priest held for rape of minor who gave birth

A CATHOLIC PRIEST was arrested in Kochi on Monday on the charge of sexually abusing a minor girl who later gave birth to a child.

Kerala police identified the priest as 48-year-old Robin Vadakkancheril, vicar at the St Sebastian’s Church in Kottiyoor in Kannur district. He will face charges under the POCSO Act and IPC section 376.

From the Syro-malabar Catholic diocese of Mananthavady, Vadakkancheril had served as director of the Church-run daily Deepika and Jeevan TV before moving to Kottiyoor. He had also worked with a college under the diocese.

Police said the victim was a