A Christian priest has been arrested in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district for abusing a minor at a college where he was teaching. The accused priest, Father Francis Fernandes, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.
Police said church priest Father Francis Fernandes had been taken into custody following serious allegations of sexual harassment and caste abuse against a minor student. A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The incident came to light when a complaint was lodged against Francis Fernandes, who also serves as the principal of the church-affiliated college, at the Kote Police Station in Shivamogga.
Members of the Banjara community have staged protests in front of the Kote Police Station, demanding justice for the victim and a thorough investigation into the matter.
“A girl from our community has been sexually harassed. A priest has been accused of this. The girl is just 17 years old. We have heard that the priest has a history of harassing young girls. The police have arrested him. The college had done nothing about this. We condemn this incident,” a member of the community said.
