The police has filed a case against the Kerala catholic priest. (Representational)

A 70-year-old catholic priest from Kerala's Ernakulam, of the Syro-Malabar section, is missing after a police complaint was filed against him for allegedly molesting three girls.

The police has filed a case against George Padayatty, vicar of a Syrian Catholic Church in the town of Chendamangalam in Ernakulam, based on a complaint.

According to the police, three nine-year-old girls, who are also from the same class, went to seek his blessings a month ago after a church programme when allegedly molested them.

Police say it was through the school teacher, that the child helpline got alerted about the incident. And when the teacher started counselling the one student who mentioned the incident, the other instances also came to light during counselling sessions.

The priest has been suspended by the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, news agency PTI quoted a source in the Syro-Malabar Church as saying.

The case against the priest has been filed under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(With inputs from PTI)