Kochi: The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition from a Catholic priest and three nuns seeking to quash the charges against them in the Kottiyoor rape case.

The four were accused of aiding a parish priest who had allegedly raped and impregnated a minor churchgoer.

Their plea to quash the case was considered by the single bench of the court on December 20.

The four had contended that they have been named as accused in the case by police unnecessarily.

However, the court disagreed with their contentions, The Times of India reported.

Those who approached the court were third accused Sister Tessy Jose, a gynecologist at Krishtu Raja Hospital at Koothuparamba where the victim girl delivered a baby; eighth accused Father Thomas Therakam, former chairman of district child welfare council of Wayanad; ninth accused Sister Betty Jose, who was a member of the district child welfare council; and 10th accused Sister Ophilia, who was the superintendent of Holy Infant Mary’s Girls Home Adoption Center at Vythiri where the newborn was admitted after the delivery.

According to prosecution, Father Robin Vadakkancheril, who was the vicar of Neendunokki parish in Kottiyoor of the Syro-Malabar Church committed rape on 16-year-old girl at the presbytery. She had become pregnant and delivered a baby boy at Krishtu Raja Hospital. The child was then allegedly sent to the adoption center at Vythiri.