2 Kerala Priests Accused Of Blackmailing & Raping A Married Woman Surrender In Court

Two priests of the Malankara Orthodox church, first and fourth accused in the rape and sexual abuse of a married woman belonging to the fold, surrendered on Monday.

It was Fr Abraham Varghese (Sony) who surrendered before Thiruvalla magistrate court and Fr Jaise K George, who surrendered at Kollam Crime Branch office.

Earlier, Fr Johnson V Mathew, Kozhencherry native, the third accused in the case was arrested from his residence and Fr Job Mathew, second accused in the case, had turned himself in to the police in Kollam.

The Malankara Orthodox Church was mired in controversy following a serious allegation that a married woman was sexually exploited by some priests who used her confessions as a blackmail tool. The woman's husband had filed a complaint with the church after he claimed that he had ¡°sufficient evidence¡±.

BCCL/ Representational Image

The accused priests have been relieved from their church duties temporarily till the panel completes its probe.