INDIA
The News Minute
August 8, 2018
The priest had allegedly acquired loans by forming self-help groups under various names and forged documents to avail the loans from different banks in Alappuzha.
Father Thomas Peelianickal, who is an accused in connection with an agricultural loan scam in Kuttanad in Kerala, was asked to step down from his priestly duties by the Changanassery diocese on Wednesday.
The decision to suspend the former executive director of the Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi(KVS) office in Alappuzha was taken by the diocese lead by the Changanassery Bishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam as the priest was facing investigation in connection with the scam.
Father Thomas, who was earlier arrested on June 19 in connection with the scam, was later let out on bail.
He is accused in six cases of loan fraud,out of which Kerala High Court had earlier granted him anticipatory bail in two cases.
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