INDIA
The New Indian Express
KOCHI:The police are finding it difficult to trace the Christian priest who is accused of sexually harassing a minor girl at Puthenvelikara. Even though one week has passed since an FIR was registered against Fr Edwin Figarez, a priest attached to the Lourdes Matha Church, Puthenvelikkara, for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl, he remains underground and continues to evade the police. According to Puthenvelikara Sub-inspector M S Shibu, the mobile phone of the accused has been switched off for several days. “The Cyber Cell has put the mobile phone under surveillance, and persons close to the priest are under surveillance. A forensic team visited the priest’s house, and collected evidence,” he said. A medical examination of the victim had confirmed that she was sexually abused. However, the official spokesperson of the Kottapuram Diocese refused to comment on the incident. Meanwhile, Felix Puloodan of the Joint Christian Counsel filed a memorandum with the Kottapuram Diocese, demanding action against the priest. He alleged that Fr Edwin Figarez was being helped by an ‘abkari’ contractor. The case against the priest was registered based on a complaint filed by the mother of the victim. The complainant alleged that priest molested the girl on several occasions when she was alone at home.
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