Kerala HC declines anticipatory bail to rape-accused priests
Kochi, July 11 :The Kerala High Court on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of three of the four Malankara Orthodox Church priests who have been accused of sexually abusing a woman parishioner.
As the bail plea was strongly opposed by the prosecution, the counsels of the three priests informed the court that their clients were willing to surrender.
But the court pointed out that there were enough evidence against Father Sony Varghese, Father Job Mathew and Father Jaice K. George and declined them bail.
The Crime Branch was expected to arrest the three, and also a fourth priest, who is on the run. A woman who regularly visited the Malankara Orthodox Church had accused five priests of sexually abusing her for a decade.
Her husband had complained that one of the priests, who first exploited his wife, was blackmailing her.
When she sought help from another priest, he too threatened her and shared her contact with a fellow priest and, in the end, she came under duress from at least five priests.
After pressure mounted on the police following the National Commission for Women monitoring the case, the four priests were charged with sexual assault. One of the priests escaped action as the victim had mentioned only four names, a police officer said.
The court last week also refused any relief to the accused, who had sought a direction that police should not arrest them till their bail petition was heard.
The Kottayam-headquartered church has gone into a limbo since the allegations have surfaced.
At least two more women have come out alleging that they too were sexually abused by two other priests of the same church since this case surfaced. Both victims are expected to file complaints.
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Rohit's aim is to win the 2027 ODI World Cup: Childhood coach Dinesh Lad
New Delhi (PTI): Rohit Sharma has quietly drawn the curtain on his Test career, but his story in Indian cricket is far from over.
In what could be the final chapter of a glittering career, the batting stalwart is now fully focused on the 50-over format and bringing glory to the country in the 2027 ODI World Cup, his childhood coach Dinesh Lad has said.
Rohit recently added the Champions Trophy to his cabinet to go with the T20 World Cup title India won under his captaincy last year as the veteran emerged as one of the most successful skippers the country has produced.
Lad feels Rohit would like to bow out on a high by winning the ODI World Cup, which has eluded India since 2011 when the team led by MS Dhoni lifted the trophy.
"His (Rohit's) aim is to win the 2027 ODI World Cup and then retire," Lad said.
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