RAJSHAHI (BANGLADESH)
Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong]
July 13, 2026
By UCA News reporter
Rajshahi Diocese had suspended Prodip Gregory from priestly ministries after allegation surfaced in 2020
A court in northern Bangladesh has acquitted a Catholic priest nearly six years after he was arrested on charges of confining and raping a 15-year-old girl from the ethnic minority Santal community, charges that led to his suspension from priestly ministry.
The Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Rajshahi acquitted Father Pradip Gregory of charges of confinement and rape on July 12, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer, Munna Saha.
The court has yet to issue its full written judgment explaining the reasons for the acquittal.
Defense lawyer Abul Kashem told journalists the verdict had delivered justice to his client, describing Gregory as a victim of a conspiracy by a vested quarter aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Saha said the victim had been denied justice and that they would appeal the verdict before the High Court.
He suspected the court may have relied on a medical examination conducted several days after the alleged assault, arguing that the delay could have affected the report’s accuracy.
However, there have been cases in which defendants received life sentences for rape despite medical reports that did not support the allegations, he told UCA News.
According to the case filed with police, the girl disappeared on Sept. 26, 2020, after leaving home to collect grass for cattle near St. John Marie Vianney Catholic Church in Mundumala, Tanore Upazila, Rajshahi district.
Her family searched for her for two days before learning on Sept. 28 that she was allegedly being confined in a room used by Gregory, who was then the parish priest.
Police rescued the girl after local residents staged protests outside the church compound. Gregory was arrested on Sept. 30 and was later released on bail.
Following his arrest, Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi Diocese suspended Gregory from priestly ministry.
Bishop Rozario welcomed the acquittal.
The truth has prevailed, he told UCA News, adding that the court found the allegation against Gregory false.
The bishop said a copy of the court judgment would be sent to the Vatican to seek the lifting of Gregory’s suspension.
Once that approval is granted, he will be able to resume his priestly ministry, he said.
According to Bishop Rozario, the girl’s medical examination found no evidence of sexual intercourse.
He added that the diocese did not provide financial assistance for Gregory’s legal defense, in keeping with Church norms, despite the priest’s family being poor.
Swapan Hasdak, the complainant’s brother, said the family was devastated by the verdict.
We are frustrated by this judgment. None of us expected such a verdict, he told UCA News.
He said the family would challenge the acquittal before the High Court.