A First Information Report registering a case of rape and criminal intimidation was issued by the Maharashtra police against N.L. Karkare, Bishop for Hyderabad Episcopal Area of the Methodist Church in India, following a complaint lodged by a woman.
The 42-year-old complainant charged that Karkare had sexually exploited her for nearly two years promising to secure a job for her in a school. In her complaint, she stated that she had met the Bishop while working as maid-cum-cook at MCI’s guesthouse in Udgir. She maintained that Karkare had threatened her with dire consequences whenever she approached and urged him to keep the promise of providing job to her. Latur SP Gyaneshwar Chauhan confirmed over phone that a case under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC was registered against the Bishop. It was learnt from the complainant’s family that she was sent for medical examination. Her clothes were sent to the forensic laboratory for examination. Investigators awaited the report. When contacted for a comment on allegations levelled against him, Bishop Karkare termed them ‘false and fabricated’. He could not be reached for comment.
