NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed Kerala police to conduct proper investigation in an alleged case of sexual exploitation of a married woman by five priests in Kerala. The NCW took suo motu cognisance of the incident where five priests have been suspended over allegations of sexually exploiting a married woman.
"NCW has written to the DGP and State Police Chief of Kerala directing him to investigate the matter and apprise the Commission about the detailed action," read a statement issued by the commission. While passing directions, the NCW took note of news reports which stated that the woman's husband was heard, in a video, saying that he has been facing pressure from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church authorities to withdraw the complaint.
The incident which happened in Kottayam-headquartered Malankara Orthodox Church was reported after the victim's husband complained about it to the secretary of the Church Biju Oommen. According to Oommen, the five priests have been suspended and probe has been ordered. In a letter to the church, the husband alleged that his wife's confession to one of the priests, supposed to be kept a secret under church rules, was used to blackmail her. The complainant mentioned eight persons in the letter to the church, but sought action against only the five priests.
In an audio clip, purportedly between the woman's husband and another official from the church that was leaked in social media a few days ago, the complainant was heard saying: "A priest had abused her (his wife) before the marriage. Later, when she confessed the pre-marital affair, that priest (who heard the confession) exploited her, threatening that he would reveal everything to me. Again, that priest handed over her to another priest, blackmailing her using the photographs.''
The DGP, who is in Chennai, is yet to respond to the commission, police sources said. The church authorities had said the other day that internal probe was progressing and appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
Five priests have been asked by the church to stay away from official duty based on a man’s complaint in Kottayam. Fr Abraham Varghese, Fr Job Mathew, Fr Jijo J Abraham (all Niranam diocese); Fr Johnson V Mathew (Thumbamon) and Fr Joyce K George (Delhi) are the accused priests.