Church priest arrested for sexual abuse of minors in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: A 54-year-old priest in Kanchipuram has been arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The victim had been living on the church premises with her father, who was a gardener there, since her mother’s death a few years ago.

Last week, the victim, who is in Grade 9, left the church one morning and went to her old house a few blocks away without informing her father. Seemingly distraught, her neighbors questioned her and learned that the pastor had allegedly sexually abused her.

Her relatives filed a complaint with the Chief Minister’s cell, which was forwarded to the district juvenile justice department. On Wednesday, the Kancheepuram All Women Police Station personnel arrested the priest under the Posco Act.

“Investigations revealed that the 54-year-old man had sexually abused the child more than once. He has been remanded in custody. We have sent the victim for a medical examination and are awaiting the report,” an official said.