On the run for 8 months, rape accused priest surrenders

By Wilson Thomas
Times of India
December 8, 2015

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/On-the-run-for-8-months-rape-accused-priest-surrenders/articleshow/50091712.cms

KOCHI: On the run for nearly eight months, a catholic priest who was booked for raping a minor girl, surrendered before the police on Tuesday. Fr Edwin Figarez (41), surrendered before the Aluva DSP office around 1pm on Tuesday. Figarez was later arrested and handed over to the Vadakkekara police for interrogation. He went absconding in April this year following a complaint filed by a 14-year-old girl's parent.

As per the complaint filed by the girl's mother, the priest raped her daughter several times between January and March 28 this year. Figarez was the parish priest of Lourdes Matha Church,Puthenvelikkara in Ernakulam rural when he allegedly raped the girl.

Vadakkekara circle inspector T MVarghese said that the priest, in order to avoid arrest, had been shifting locations. He had fled to Dubai on April 2, a day after the complaint was lodged. Later, he returned to India and remained elusive, said the police.

A look-out circular was issued against the priest. Meantime, he moved Kerala High court for anticipatory bail through his counsel. However, the bail was denied and he remained absconding.

A case was registered against Figarezunder Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012.