Police Arrest Church Priest Accused of Sexual Assault

Free Press Journal
December 4, 2015

http://www.freepressjournal.in/police-arrest-church-priest-accused-of-sexual-assault/

The Mumbai Police have arrested the church priest accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy. Father Johnson Lawrence, 52, is the priest of a prominent church in Govandi area of Shivaji Nagar.

The incident occurred on November 27, in the church premises after the boy and his parents had attended the prayer mass in the evening. The boy was alone in the church after talking to his friends. His parents had met up friends and left for home.

“He was arrested and booked under Sections 376 and 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various sections of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” said Balasaheb Jadhav, Senior PI, Shivaji Nagar Police station. Police officers said they were investigating whether Lawrence has any previous cases against him. He is currently placed in police custody till December 5.