Kerala sexual abuse: Police gets 4-day custody of Robin Vadakkumchery

Kozhikode: Fr Robin Vadakkumchery, the first accused in the rape of a minor, was remanded in police custody for four days by the Thalasserry additional sessions court (One) on Thursday. The court had put off the probe officer’s request for police custody on Wednesday as Fr Robin's lawyer had objected citing that no affidavit had been produced by the prosecution. The special prosecutor submitted the affidavit on Thursday.

Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam, former CWC chairman of Malappuram and the 9th accused, has approached the High Court for anticipatory bail. Earlier, he and the 10th accused, former CWC member Sr Dr Betty Jose, had moved an anticipatory bail petition in the Wayanad district sessions court. Fr Robin, former vicar of St Sebastian’s church, Needunokki, Kottiyoor, and the manager of IJM HSS Kottiyoor, was arrested last month after the Childline received a tip-off that he had raped a 16-year- old girl.