Mangaluru: Priest Arrested in POCSO Case Over Alleged Sexual Harassment of Minors

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 18, 2026: Mangaluru South Police have arrested a Catholic priest in connection with a POCSO case involving allegations of repeated sexual harassment of minor boys, Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said.

According to the FIR, the priest allegedly lured a minor boy into a room near the church sacristy and touched him inappropriately. The complainant later learned that other boys had allegedly faced similar harassment by the accused.

A case has been registered under Sections 8 and 10 of the POCSO Act and Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused will be produced before a magistrate after interrogation and completion of formalities.

The victims’ parents had reportedly approached the Karnataka Directorate of Child Protection after allegedly failing to receive a favourable response from the Bishop of the Mangaluru Diocese. In a letter dated August 31, the directorate directed the Dakshina Kannada District Child Protection Unit to investigate the allegations.