Daijiworld Media Network - Kannur (SP)
Kannur, Mar 17: Relating to the rape of a minor girl allegedly by the parish priest of Kottiyoor church sometime back, the three persons who have been named as co-accused, surrendered before the police at Kannur on Friday March 16. Those who surrendered on Monday morning were former chairman of Child Welfare Committee, Joseph Therakam, and members of the committee, Sr Ophelia and Sr Betty.
Allegedly, Fr Robin Vadakkumcherry attached to Kottiyoor church had raped a minor girl. The above-named persons have been charged with keeping the incident under wraps with the aim of shielding the priest. Since the case came into the open, these three persons had remained elusive. The rape victim, who is a student studying in eleventh standard, had given birth to a baby boy in February this year.
Surrendered co-accused
Main accused Fr Robin
Fr Therakam has been named as co-accused for his role in helping the main accused to flee the country. For this dubious act, he was divested of the post later.
The high court of Kerala had directed all the four persons named in the case, who were on the run, to surrender to the police. They include the main accused, Fr Therakam, and two nuns.