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Catholic priest rape: Five nuns evade cops, go into hiding

  •  Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam, the chairman of the Wayanad Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Sr Dr Betti, a member of the quasi-judicial body, are also likely to be included in the list of accused in the case.
Five nuns absconding after priest got arrested for rape

 

After the expose that Catholic nuns helped Robin Vadakkumchery, a Christian priest who raped and impregnated a minor girl from Kottiyur in Kannur, five nuns suspected to have involved in the case have gone into hiding. Search is on for seven persons including the nuns in connection with the case. The police are all likely to include  Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam, the chairman of the Wayanad Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Sr Dr Betti, a member of the quasi-judicial body, in the list of accused in the case. Therakam is also the PRO of the of Mananthavadi diocese in Wayanad. 

 

Besides the five nuns, doctor and paediatrician of Christuraj Hospital in Kannur where the victim gave birth to a child last month are also absconding, according to police. Sister Ancy Mathew, administrator of the hospital, Thankamma Nelliyani, Sister Lizz Maria and Sister Ophelia could not be traced when the police searched their convent on Saturday. There are reports that the nuns are hiding in Idukky district and that they are receiving support from some highly-placed individuals, even though the Church distanced itself from the criminals and offered all help to the police to catch them.
 

 Related: Catholic priest rape: Child Welfare Committee, nuns tried to hide crime
 

A case of criminal conspiracy and concealing of evidence has been slapped on the nuns and the doctors.  The police say that the hospital officials deliberately kept the vital information from the authorities despite knowing that the victim was minor. The hospital authorities also helped to shift the newborn to an orphanage within hours after birth.


Fr. Thomas Joseph Therakam, who is the ​Chairman of Wayanad CWC, and Sr. Betti, member of the committee, would be removed from the judicial body: Health Minister KK Shailaja 

Meanwhile, the suspicious role of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Wayanad has also been exposed. When the incident raised a controversy in the state, the CWC claimed that all procedures had been adhered to in shifting the newborn to the orphanage run by a Catholic convent in Wayanad.  It was also revealed that the CWC failed to inform the incident to higher authorities even though the body was well aware that girl was a minor. 
 

Related: Kerala Catholic priest booked for raping 16-year-old
 

Health Minister KK Shailaja informed Asianet News that chairman of Wayanad CWC Thomas Joseph Therakam and Sr. Betti, would be removed from the committee. An order to this regard would be issued on Monday, she added.  Both of them are also absconding. 

 

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