INDIA
The New Indian Express
KOCHI: The police on Tuesday submitted before the Kerala High Court that they had issued a lookout notice against Fr Edwin Figarez, who allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl at the parsonage of Lourdes Matha Church, Puthenvelikkara, on multiple occasions.
It was submitted that a potency test should be conducted on the accused as part of the investigation. The police made the submission opposing the anticipatory bail plea filed by Fr Edwin.
Director General of Prosecution T Asaf Ali submitted that the arrest of the accused and his interrogation were inevitable for collection of evidence. “The cruelty meted out by the accused towards the victim sends a very bad message to society,” it was submitted.
The case is that Fr Edwin raped the minor girl at the parsonage of the Church on various occasions, from January 2015 until March 28, 2015. Vadakkekkara SI T M Varghese, the investigating officer of the case, stated that Bishop of the Kottappuram Diocese had formed a committee to inquire into the allegation against the accused. The probe confirmed that the accused had committed the offence, and the church banned him from participating in the Holy Mass. A circular in this regard was issued on April 12.
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