Bail for rape-accused priest

  • | Saturday | 29th February, 2020

By Express News ServiceKOCHI: Observing that there was no satisfactory explanation for a two-and-a-half-year delay in reporting a rape allegation to the police, the High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to a priest under Thamarassery diocese. The court directed the priest to make himself available for interrogation before the investigating officer within 10 days. Justice P B Suresh Kumar issued the order on the anticipatory bail plea of Fr Manoj Palakkoottathil, former vicar of Chevayur Nithyasahaya Matha Church. Senior advocate P Vijayabhanu, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the allegation against Fr Manoj was false and there was no need for custodial interrogation. The police case was that the accused had allegedly gone to the woman’s house on June 15, 2017, and raped her while she was alone.

By Express News Service KOCHI: Observing that there was no satisfactory explanation for a two-and-a-half-year delay in reporting a rape allegation to the police, the High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to a priest under Thamarassery diocese. The court directed the priest to make himself available for interrogation before the investigating officer within 10 days. If he is arrested before or after his appearance before the police, he should be released on execution of a bond of Rs 25,000. Justice P B Suresh Kumar issued the order on the anticipatory bail plea of Fr Manoj Palakkoottathil, former vicar of Chevayur Nithyasahaya Matha Church. Senior advocate P Vijayabhanu, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the allegation against Fr Manoj was false and there was no need for custodial interrogation. The police case was that the accused had allegedly gone to the woman’s house on June 15, 2017, and raped her while she was alone.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

₹ 10 - ₹ 1000

NYOOOZ FRIEND

₹ 2000 - ₹ 5000

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Latest Kochi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles
Bail for rape-accused priest
  • Saturday | 29th February, 2020
Despite WHO halting trials, Kerala doctors, healthcare workers still using HCQ
  • Wednesday | 27th May, 2020
Vyttila flyover concrete work over
  • Wednesday | 27th May, 2020
New normal for cops, prisoners
  • Wednesday | 27th May, 2020