KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed four accused in a case related to the rape of a minor girl by a parish priest in Kannur to surrender before the Investigating officer within five days.
The court issued the order while disposing off the bail pleas filed by Fr Thomas Therakam, former Child welfare Council (CWC) Chairman of Wayanad District, Sister Betty Jose, former member of CWC Sister Ophilla, Superintendent- Holy Infant Mary's Girls Home Adoption Center, Vythir, Wayanad and a midwife- Thankamma.
It is alleged that Fr. Robin Vadakkanchery, former vicar of the Neendunokki parish near Kottiyur under Mananthavadi Diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church had raped a Class XI student, a resident of Neendunooki in Kottiyoor. The victim delivered a baby on February 26, and the child was later sent to Holy Infant Mary's Girls Home Adoption Center, Vythiri, Wayanad.
The investigating officers, who visited the hospital-where the child was delivered- and the orphanage found huge discrepancies. The police have registered cases under Protection of Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Juvenile Justice Act against six women including five nuns and a doctor.
The court directed the Investigating officer that the four accused, after investigation, be produced before the Magistrate concerned. The magistrate should grant them bail after executing Rs 30,000 and two solvent sureties for the sum. The petitioners should report before the police officer every Monday and Friday for a period of three months.
Police had initially found clues indicating that she had been raped by her father. The father was taken into custody and questioned but alleged that it was Vadakkancheril Mathew (Robin), a priest at the Kottiyoor St Sebastian Church, who committed the crime.
The girl’s house is near the church and the priest might have become acquainted with the girl , police had said.