One Kerala rape-accused priest moves SC for relief from arrest
New Delhi/Thiruvalla, July 14 : One of the two Malankara Orthodox Church priests, who are on the run facing charges of sexual abuse of a parishioner, approached the Supreme Court on Saturday seeking relief from arrest, while the other will do so on Monday, said an official.
Speaking to IANS, a key investigating officer seeking anonymity said Father Sony (Abraham) Varghese on Saturday filed his petition in the apex court, which will be heard on Monday, while another accused, Father Jaice K. George -- currently posted in Delhi -- will file a petition on Monday.
The officer said: "We have got information that one of the accused has already approached the apex court and the other will do it on Monday. We are keenly watching the people harbouring these two priests. Such people will definitely run into trouble."
On Friday, the Crime Branch police probing the case arrested Father Johnson V. Mathew from a house near Thiruvalla. Both him and another priest Father Job Mathew, who was arrested on Thursday, have been remanded to judicial custody.
"We have gathered crucial evidence with regard to the crime that the two arrested priests have committed. These will definitely help us shape up the case," the officer added.
While the four priests have been made accused in the case, Johnson V. Mathew has not been charged for rape but "for outraging the modesty of a lady".
The arrest of the accused priests became a certainty after the Kerala High Court on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of three of them.
A woman, who regularly visited the Malankara Orthodox Church, has accused five priests of sexually abusing her for a decade. Her husband has complained that she was subjected to sexual overtures by five priests.
Initially, it was only one priest who first exploited his wife and then started blackmailing her. When she sought help from another priest, he too threatened her and shared her contact with a fellow priest and she was eventually victimised by five of them.
One priest, however, escaped action as the victim mentioned only four names, the investigating officer said.
The National Commission for Women is monitoring the case.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
