Wayanad sources have reported that a Christian priest in Kerala has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor boys of an orphanage for two years, and the victims were staying at 'Balbhavan' in Meenangadi where the priest was working, a police official said. Fr Saji Joseph, who was allegedly sexually assaulting the boy's since March 2015, was arrested following complaints from children's relatives.
Sources have stated that he was absconding for the past three days and was arrested from Thamarassery and he hid at various places, including Mangaluru. Meanwhile, the official said Joseph has been charged under section 377 (unnatural offenses) of the Indian Penal Code, and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and the Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act.
Sources have stated that the priest had gone missing after relatives of the children complained to the police. Child line authorities were also informed and this priest Robin Vadakkancheril was a vicar at the St Sebastian's Church in Kottiyoor.
