Two priests likely to be arrested soon over scandalous charge

Two priests likely to be arrested soon over scandalous charge
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Pathanamthitta: The woman who raised sexual abuse charges against four priests of the Orthodox church made a secret testimony before the Thiruvalla Judicial First-Class Magistrate in a two-hour long sitting. She stood firm on her charges she had stated in her earlier police complaint. Meanwhile, the police was seeking to arrest two of the accused priests, who haven't sought anticipatory bail, on Wednesday. Both are at large, but are expected to approach the court for anticipatory bail on Wednesday.

The High Court had declined anticipatory bail to accused priests who had sought it on Tuesday, but will consider the plea next Monday. The court pointed out that the case is still in a primary stage and that it has not received enough facts to consider the petition. It is likely that the court will take a similar stand on anticipatory bail pleas that could be filed in the coming days. Since the petitions are under consideration, the Crime Branch may not rush with the arrests. At the same time, they are preparing for the arrests as a decision on the pleas could be prompt.

The investigators had recorded the woman's statement and put her through a medical check at the Thiruvalla Taluk Hospital.

The investigators plan to proceed as soon as they get a copy of her statement to the court, made under Section 164. They will conduct checks at the hotels where the woman had stayed with the priests.

The four priests have been charged with rape, insult of womanhood and threat. The woman had alleged that she was forced into sex with the threat that her confession on her previous sexual abuse would be revealed if she didn't cooperate.

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