Thiruvanathapuram, Dec 6 2019: A Catholic priest in Kerala was booked on December 4 for allegedly raping a woman in Kozhikode in June 2017, police said. The accused, Fr Manoj alias Jacob Plakoottathil, belongs to the Diocese of Thamarassery.
After the incident, the victim had initially lodged a complaint with Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil. It is understood that the priest was then discharged from parish duties and send for higher studies.
According to the complaint registered with the police, the priest had gone to the woman’s house when she was alone and sexually assaulted her. Subsequently, he also threatened to destroy her and her family, it said.
Diocese spokesman Fr Mathew Kollamparambil said, “We had removed the priest from the complainant’s parish. Three months ago, the diocese realised about the seriousness of the issue. Now, he has been divested of all duties and the diocese would cooperate with the police probe.”
When no action was taken against the accused priest, the victim on December 4 lodged a complaint with the police, which registered a case of rape.
The investigating officer said a probe has been initiated and they have not been able to trace the location of the priest so far.
source: Indian Express