Suryanelli Rape Victim Not Banned from Entering Church, Says Priest

Times of India
March 8, 2013

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-08/kochi/37560794_1_suryanelli-priest-pj-kurien

KOCHI: Suryanelli gang rape victim hasn't been banned from entering the church, priest of the church said on Friday.

The clarification was issued following media reports that the girl and her relatives have been banned from entering St Francis Xavier Church at Sachivothamapuram near Kurichy in Kottayam district. Reports had stated that the directive not to enter the church under Vijayapuram diocese was issued two weeks ago.

The priest, Xavier Mammoottil, was said to have told the victim's family that as the residents in the area have come to know the identity of the victim and her family, it is better that they should stay away from the church until all the problems related to the sex case are resolved.

It was in 1996 that the girl, who was a 16-year-old then, was raped by over 40 men over 40 days by transporting her across the state. The victim had recently lodged a police complaint and a petition before a local magistrate court against Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson PJ Kurien alleging that he had raped her and a probe should be conducted.

Last week, a magistrate court at Peerumedu had dismissed the girl's plea for investigation against Kurien based the revelation by an accused in the sex case, advocate Dharamarajan of Idukki.

In an interview to a news channel, Dharmarajan had stated that Kurien went to a guest house at Kumily in his car and that the girl was raped there. Talking to media, the priest said he is dedicated in helping the family, which is going through a painful period. In a media interview, the victim's father said the priest's directive to stay away from the church temporarily was issued with good intention.