Priest accused of sexual abuse surrenders

July 12, 2018 01:09 pm | Updated 01:21 pm IST - KOLLAM

Father Job Mathew, one of the four accused in the alleged sexual exploitation case in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian church, has surrendered before the deputy superintendent of police (Dy SP), Kollam on Thursday.

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday had declined the anticipatory bail pleas of Fr. Sony Varghese, Fr .Job Mathew and Fr Jaise K. George who approached the court after Crime Branch slapped rape charges against them.

A native of Kottarakara, Fr Job Mathew was expected to surrender before the court or Crime Branch office, but he avoided both to keep away from the media. There is no official conformation about recording his arrest so far and currently he is undergoing interrogation by Crime Branch.

The priest will be taken for medical examination post interrogation, said officials.

The two other priests who were denied anticipatory bail are currently absconding and according to reports they may approach the Supreme Court.

The 40-year-old Malankara Orthodox priest has been allegedly sexually exploiting the victim since 2009 threatening to misuse her confession.

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