Kozhikode: The team probing rapist priest Robin Vadakk-umchery has turned its focus on a key priest of the Mananthavadi diocese for helping Vadakkumchery, the accused, who planned to escape to Canada.
The 12 accused in the case, including the priest, are absconding. They had colluded to shift the newborn and cover up the crime. The police conducted an investigation into the priest’s antecedents and also his intimacy with Fr Robin.
The priest was heading a social service organisation of the Mananthavadi diocese. The Kelakam police conducted raids on two convents in Wayanad on Sunday in a bid to nab the accused in the case relating to the rape of a minor girl by a priest and the bid to cover up the birth of her child recently. However, none of the 12 accused, including five nuns, were arrested from the searches made in a convent at Kambalakkad near Kalp-etta and another at Mananthavadi.
Anticipating arrest, the Mananthavadi diocese has removed Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam, chairman of Wayanad Child Welfare Committee, as Public Relations Officer of the Church, it is learnt. The Social Welfare Department is likely to remove Fr Therakam, chairman of CWC, and Sr Dr Betty, CWC member, from the CWC on Monday.
As per the report submitted by the District Child Protection Officer on Saturday, the CWC and the Holy Infant Foundling home, Vythiri, the special adoption agency recognised by the government, had violated the rules of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ), 2015. The police can take the duo into custody as CWC is a statutory body with judicial powers.
Bishop Jose Porunnedam of Mananthavadi diocese has expressed concern over the disgrace that fell on the Church due to the deeds of Fr Robin. The bishop told the faithful on Sunday that the diocese had informed him about the incident after the arrest of Fr Robin. “I was travelling when the news came. We acted soon. The law will take its course. Some priests and nuns may be interrogated and arrested,” he said and added that the probe team may interrogate him too.
Fr Robin Vadakkumchery of the Mananthavadi diocese was arrested for raping the minor girl who gave birth on February 7. A vicar of St Sebastian’s church, Neendunokki, Fr Robin was removed from his duties by the diocese soon after he was arrested.
