(INDIA)
Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong]
July 6, 2026
By UCA News reporter
Discalced Carmelite priest is remanded in custody in Kerala after woman accuses him of multiple assaults
A Catholic priest has been arrested and remanded in custody on allegations of repeatedly raping a woman in the southern Indian state of Kerala after she filed a police complaint on July 3.
Father Dennis Praveen, 43, a member of the Kerala province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD) and a well-known retreat preacher, was arrested in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The woman, now 24, alleged in her complaint that the priest raped her multiple times between 2022 and 2024 at various locations.
“The priest was produced before a local court after his arrest and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days,” a police official involved in the investigation told UCA News on July 5.
“The priest has been charged with rape,” the official said, adding that the investigation is ongoing. The official declined to provide further details, including information about the survivor, whose identity is protected under Indian law.
According to local media reports, the woman first met the priest during one of his retreats. The two later developed a personal relationship. Reports said the woman wanted to marry the priest, but he refused, after which she filed the rape complaint.
Provincial authorities of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites did not respond to calls from UCA News. However, a priest who was not authorized to speak to the media said on condition of anonymity that the congregation would first examine the allegations before commenting.
“We are shocked by his arrest and remand because he was doing good work as a preacher,” the priest said. “We do not know whether he has been falsely implicated in such a serious case.”
The priest also questioned the delay in filing the complaint, noting that the alleged assaults were said to have occurred between 2022 and 2024.
“If the allegations are true, she should have reported the matter to the police after the first incident. The delay raises questions that need to be examined,” he said.
He added that the congregation would not shield the accused if the allegations were proven.
“The congregation will not protect the accused priest if the charges against him are proved. The Catholic Church has zero tolerance for the sexual abuse of women,” he said.
According to India’s 2011 national census, Christians make up 18.38 percent of Kerala’s population of more than 33 million. Hindus account for 54.74 percent and Muslims 26.56 percent.
Kerala is considered a Catholic stronghold in India because of the community’s longstanding presence and influence in education, health care, politics and public administration.