Priest held for sexually assaulting minor boys in Kerala

Kalpetta: A priest, absconding after sexually assaulting minor boys in the hilly Wayanad district of Kerala, has been arrested. Police said Father Saji Joseph (40) in charge of Bala Bhawan, attached to Vincention Congregation, Meenangadi in the district was nabbed in Mangluru in neighbouring Karnataka yesterday under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012.

The arrest has been made on a complaint by Childline activists, who said the boys in a counselling disclosed that they were abused by the priest during holidays in 2016-17. Another priest, Fr Robin Vadakkumcheril, (48) has been arrested for sexually assaulting and impregnating a 16-year-old girl at Kottiyur in Kannur district a few months ago. (UNI)