KOCHI:

have registered a case based on the statement by a 24-year-old employee of a travel agency that her employer sexually abused her for nearly a year in 2019.

The man, according to the complaint, sexually assaulted her multiple times. “The man sexually assaulted her at his travel agency office at Muvattupuzha and then at locations like Goa and Mysuru,” said a senior officer with

police station.

The 54-year-old accused, who has a wife and family, is on the run. “We are keeping the name of the accused confidential for now as the establishment where the assault happened only has a few employees and revealing his identity could also compromise the identity of the victim. Anyhow, we have recorded the statement of the victim and registered a case under Section 376 of the IPC,” the officer said.

“The Muslim man also allegedly promised to marry his employee, a Christian, if she converts to his faith. However, we are yet to get clinching evidence to prove that the accused committed the crime with the intention to proselytize. We are currently probing the rape angle,” he said.

Police said the victim, in a statement, said the accused promised to marry her, if she converts to Islam. “She also said the man promised her money and other perks to keep the issue under wraps.”

Meanwhile, the Syro-Malabar Church has taken note of the issue. The church had recently issued a circular alleging that Christian girls were being trapped in love and recruited by the IS terror outfit.

“We are watching the case closely. As far as we know the girl was sexually assaulted multiple times and that the man told her that only Islam allows a man to keep multiple wives and he would marry her, if she converts. We are waiting to see what direction the police investigation takes,” a church official said.