5 Kerala priests accused of raping, blackmailing woman
Kottayam, July 4 (IBNS): The police have started investigating into the alleged sexual assault of a woman by five priests in Kerala for almost 20 years.
The priests have been allegedly blackmailing the woman for several years.
Two priests have reportedly approached the court for protection against arrest.
The entire episode came to light when an audio clip of the victim's husband complaining to a church official was posted online and then circulated.
The husband has alleged that the priests, who are based at the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kottayam, have sexually abused her wife for several years. He also alleged that his wife was even blackmailed for many years.
Speaking to NDTV, her husband said when she reached out to the priests for help, they threatened and assaulted her.
"The main culprit, the Father, promised to marry her and continued to manipulate her. The Father was a student at that time. Even after finishing his seminary and becoming a priest, he continued the same pattern. Even after we got married in 2006, the priest continued to sexually abuse my wife, blackmail her, saying that he would tell me everything. I got to know all this only in February," the husband told the newschannel.
The woman has reportedly recorded her statement with the police.
Police have filed a rape case against four priests.
No arrest has been made so far.
"We have filed cases of rape against the priests because though this may appear consensual, there is blackmailing involved. And this amounts to rape. There are several procedures involved before the arrest, which includes the statement to the court. Arrests will follow," a senior crime branch official told NDTV.
Image: Internet Wallpaper/Creative Commons
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