Police have arrested a Christian priest, who was accused of sexually harassing a minor girl in April, after he surrendered in Aluva on Tuesday.
The police submitted a report in the Kerala High Court in April 2015 stating that Father Edwin Figarez, a Christian priest had allegedly sexually harassed the minor girl multiple times at Puthenvelikkara. Reportedly, he had sexually enticed the girl when she visited him for confession. Medical examination of the victim thereafter, confirmed that she was sexually abused.
“He surrendered in DySP office this morning and I arrested him from there. He might have surrendered because we were trying to involve his relatives also in the case. For the last six months, we have been in search of him. He stayed in different hiding places. Interrogation is going on and only after that we can get more details," Vadakkekkara Circle Inspector Varghese TM told The News Minute.
According to the police, the accused had been hiding in different places after he was denied anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court, a day after the girl's mother filed a complaint.
Spokesperson of Kottapuram diocese, Father Rocky Roby told The News Minute, “As per the rule of the Catholic Church, we will conduct internal investigations into these issues. In this case, we did a primary investigation and sent our report to Rome for further decision making. Another team has started a detailed enquiry into the issue, till the probe gets over, he will remain suspended from the Catholic Ministry.”