THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Crime Branch will probe the allegation of sexual abuse raised against a group of clergymen belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church, which had sent shockwaves across the state.
IG S Sreejith will monitor the case while Ernakulam Crime Branch SP Sabu Mathew will head the probe team. An order in this regard was issued by State Police Chief Loknath Behera on Friday.
The allegation against the priests, which brought the attention back once again on the cases where the clergy misused their power for sexual gratification, was raised by the husband of the victim, who has been a staunch follower of the church.
In a telephonic conversation with another person that surfaced on social media, the man was heard alleging that his wife was sexually misused by a priest before her marriage. When she confessed to a priest about the ordeal, he exploited her insecurity and abused her.
He blackmailed her with the videos of the episode and forced her to maintain a relationship with a few other priests. He had named about five priests and added that more was involved in the case.
Though the victim is yet to lodge a complaint, the probe was ordered after prima facia it was learnt that there was merit in the allegation. Orthodox Church said the victim will give her statement to the probe team. The church also promised to cooperate with the investigation.