LONDON (ENGLAND)
The Tablet
February 18, 2019
By Rose Gamble
A Catholic priest in India has been found guilty of raping a minor and sentenced to 20 years in jail.
On 16 February, a court in Thalassery in Kerala, southern India, convicted Father Robin Vadakkumchery of Mananthavady Diocese of rape of a minor under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and with violating sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. He will serve a 20-year sentence.
The court also fined the priest 300,000 rupees (£3,250) and ruled that half would be used as compensation for the victim.
A spokesperson for the Mananthavady Diocese said they welcomed the ruling.
Fr Vadakkumchery was serving as a parish priest near Kannur and was the manager of the Church-backed-school, where the victim, a 16 year-old girl, was studying.
A Childline agency that works with school children registered the complaint against the priest.
Fr Vadakkumchery was arrested on 28 February last year near Kochi International airport weeks after the girl gave birth to his child. The priest is said to have been attempting to flee the country.
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