October 08, 2005

Sexual abuse charge against priest at retreat centre

INDIA
Newindpress

Saturday October 8 2005 10:51 IST
KOZHIKODE: The State Women’s Commission has begun an inquiry into the complaint from a woman in judicial custody, lodged in the Kozhikode district jail, that a priest at a retreat centre in Thrissur district sexually exploited her. Police are investigating the case.

The woman was arrested by Elathur police in June this year in connection with a theft under the Elathur police station limits. The woman, a native of Aralam in Kannur, was in an advanced stage of pregnancy when remanded. Earlier, she had reportedly stayed at the retreat centre.

“She gave birth to a baby girl in the jail. Both are still in the jail as her remand is extended time and again as none turns up to bail her out,” said jail superintendent K. Radhakrishnan.

The woman sent petitions addressed to the district judge and the Women’s Commission from the jail. “She did not tell anything to us but sent a complaint to the judge,” Radhakrishnan said.

Posted by kshaw at October 8, 2005 07:16 AM