Pastor arrested for raping minor girl in Kerala

Mangalore Today News Network

Kerala, May 1, 2014: A 40-year-old pastor was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl inside a church in Kerala two months ago.

Sajan Mathai, hailing from Ranni in Pathanamthitta, was arrested on the girl’s complaint.

 

The rape came to light after the victim, hailing from Mundakkayam in Kottayam district, was found to be pregnant.

Kerala Police said the pastor raped the girl during annual celebration of Israel Pentecost Church in Punchavayal on February 23.

The girl, in her statement to police, said the pastor acquainted with her during the ceremony and raped her at a secluded church hall.

She did not tell anyone about the rape since the pastor had threatened her.
 
However, on April 24, she was admitted in Kottayam Medical College with stomach pains and underwent pregnancy test which was found to be positive.

The girl’s parents lodged a complaint at Mundakkayam police station and Mathai was arrested on Wednesday.

Police said Mathai seemed to be a repeated offender and had earlier allegedly misbehaved with a woman and her daughter when they were in the church for prayers.

Police said Mathai was once in a live-in relationship but the woman later left him. He had married twice and has a 12-year-old daughter.

Police said Mathai, who was actively involved in church activities for three years, was exploiting women from poor families.

He was arrested from a rented house in Ranni and will be presented in the court of Kanjirapally Judicial Magistrate on Thursday.