A rape convict Catholic priest's plea in Kerala for bail to marry the survivor has been rejected by the Kerala High Court maintaining that accused in sexual offences deserved no leniency.
Robin Vadakumcherry, a former priest of the Mananthavady diocese in Wayanad in Kerala, was convicted by a POCSO court in Kannur in 2019 on charges of raping and impregnating a minor girl. He sought bail last year expressing desire to marry the survivor, who has now attained the age of 18 and take care of their child.
Citing earlier court orders, the HC maintained that a lenient approach cannot be taken when dealing with sexual offences. The court also pointed out that since the appeal against the trial court order convicting Vadakumcherry was still remaining and hence allowing him bail to marry the survivor at this point would amount to giving legal sanctity to the offence.
The police and prosecution had earlier opposed the bail plea maintaining that the wish to marry could be a ploy to get bail. Vadakumcherry, who is in his mid-fifties, raped the survivor belonging to his parish several times during 2016. The girl, who was only 16 at that time was impregnated and delivered a child later. Efforts were made to conceal the crime. He was held just ahead of his bid to leave the country. He was defrocked after he was convicted by a lower court.
(Published 17 February 2021, 15:08 IST)
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