Antony demands strict action against ‘rapist’ priest

Times of India
March 06, 2017

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/antony-demands-strict-action-against-rapist-priest/articleshow/57483512.cms

KOZHIKODE: Senior Congress leader and former Union minister A K Antony has come down heavily on the priest who is accused of raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl at Peravoor in Kannur. Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Antony termed the act of Fr Robin Vadakkancheril as a hideous crime and demanded strict action against the priest.

"It is a shame to say that such a person is a priest. The accused do not deserve any mercy and should not be given any consideration of a priest," he said.Religious or political background of the persons accused in such heinous crimes should never be considered while taking action, Antony responded when asked about the priest's arrest.

"The police should take all steps to prove the crime and ensure punishment to the accused so that a clear message is sent across the society," said Antony adding that Kerala should no more be called 'God's own Country'.

Responding to the queries on the state's liquor policy of Kerala, Antony, who had banned arrack over two decades ago when he was the chief minister of Kerala, said: "Liquor and drugs are the main reasons for the increase in the number of crime cases in the state and we should not allow the government to reopen closed bars."

The Congress leader also demanded action against Kundan Chandrawat, former RSS leader from Madhya Pradesh who had announced Rs one crore bounty for beheading chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.