Kochi: The Additional District Sessions Court awarded 20 years and Rs. 3 lakhs to Fr. Robin Vadakkumcheri, a Catholic priest who was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl and impregnating her in 2017.
The court acquitted 6 others accused of lack of evidence. They were arrested for not reporting the crime even though they had knowledge about the incident.
Additionally, the court will seek an explanation from the victim’s parents for providing false statement. If the explanation is not satisfactory action will be taken against them too.
The incident came to light when Childline workers were tipped off about the crime. The girl had given birth to a child and was shifted to an orphanage in Wayanad by the accused.
During the course of the trial, the victim claimed that she was major but refused to undergo scientific tests to prove her age. The prosecution declared her hostile after she claimed that she was major.
