Catholic priest booked for raping British-Bangladeshi woman in Kerala

Thanninikkumthadathil Thomas, a Catholic priest in Kerala has been booked for raping a British-Bangladeshi woman. He was also booked for allegedly stealing the woman’s gold ornaments, mobile phone and 1,300 British pounds.

Kerala Police on Thursday registered a rape and theft case against the priest acting on the complaint filed by the victim.

The Indian Express reported on the incident:

“The accused, Thanninikkumthadathil Thomas, 35, is the vicar of St Mathew’s Church, Perumthuruth near Kallara in Kottayam district.

The 43-year-old woman, in her complaint to Kaduthuruthi police in Kottayam, said she had met the priest through facebook. She alleged that Thomas repeatedly raped her during her week-long stay in Kottayam. She then flew back to the UK on January 17 before returning on February 8. During her second visit, she alleged that Thomas had stolen her gold ornaments, mobile phone and 1,300 British pounds.

Vaikom deputy police superintendent K Subash said the woman was shifted to a government-run shelter home in Kottayam. “We have registered the rape and theft case against the priest based on the statement of the woman. The alleged rape had taken place during her first meeting with the priest last month. We are looking to why she had returned then, without moving a complaint with the police. Further action would be taken only after detailed probe,” he said.

The priest, who was ordained in 2008, has gone into hiding.”

NewsMinute has reported that the accused priest, who belongs to the Syro-Malabar diocese of Pala, surrendered before the court on Friday and denied all the charges slapped against him under IPC Sections 376 (2) (commits rape, shall be punished with imprisonment), 380 (Theft in dwelling house), 506 (1) (offence of criminal intimidation) and 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt).

Source : Hindupost