Complaint against Assistant Priest of Kateel Temple on charges of raping young woman

Complaint against Assistant Priest of Kateel Temple on charges of raping young woman

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 7, 2016: An Assistant Priest of the Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kateel  is facing charges of rape. A 19 year old girl who was allegedly raped and impregnated by the priest, has now lodged a complaint against him at Bajpe police station.

The accused priest has been identified as Harishchandra Rao alias Appu Bhat. He is a resident of Kateel.

As per the complainant who is now six months pregnant, the accused priest raped her in August last year at his house where she had been to work. The priest had also reportedly threatened the girl of dire consequences if she revealed the matter before anyone.

Sources said though Rao had tried to get the girl aborted at a private hospital in the city, he could not succeed. An attempt had also been reportedly made to  reach upon a compromise and also to fix a Dalit youth in the case but of no avail. Meanwhile, the accused priest, fearing his honour had even tried to keep the young woman  at a lodge in Mangaluru.

On the other hand, an acquaintance, a lady had also assured to take the girl to Madikeri by promising to sell the child once it is born. But sources said the priest was not agreeable to the amount demanded by the woman for the task.

The accused priest also has a young daughter and his wife had reportedly ended her life four months ago. It is said frustration due to ill-health had driven her to suicide.