Kochi: A 70-year-old Catholic priest allegedly molested three minor girls in Chendamangalam in Ernakulam district last month, police said on Friday.
The Vadakkekkara Poli-ce registered a POCSO case against George Padayatty, vicar of a Syrian Catholic Church, based on complaints of three nine-year old girls, all students of a school near the church.
According to police, the accused, who is absconding, allegedly molested the minor girls when they visited the church during free hours to offer pra-yers last month.
“One of the girl grew suspicious of his acts and informed the matter to a school teacher who in turn alerted their parents. Soon the child line officials got involved. He has been charged with various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,” police said.
The secret statements of victims too were recorded before a magistrate.
A Syro-Malabar Church spokesperson said the priest was suspended by the Ernakulam-Angam-aly Archdiocese following lodging of the case.
