The Vittal Police have booked the priest of a church for assaulting a 12-year-old boy after the former reportedly failed to answer a few questions related to the Bible.
Cases under Section 323 of the Indian Penal Code (voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act have been registered against parish priest Andrew D’Costa of Out Lady of Fatima Church, Peruvai. The priest is said to be at large after the case was registered.
According to the complaint registered with the police, Alban Menezes, President of United Christian Association, Vittal, said the priest had beaten up the boy with a stick.
The boy was participating in the first communion catechism being conducted at the church and had failed to answer a few questions related to the Bible.
Responding to the incident, Diocese of Mangalore said that the priest had told them that he had reprimanded the boy; but did not beat him up. Public Relations Officer Rev. Fr. William Menezes told The Hindu that the Bishop has asked the priest to cooperate with the police since an FIR has been registered. Meanwhile, the priest reportedly met the parents of the boy, Fr. Menezes said.
The priest, Andrew D’Costa, is said to be at large after the case was registered
