He was tried under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Vadakkumchery was serving as a parish vicar near Kannur and was the manager of the Church-backed-school, where the victim, a Class 11 student was studying.

The priest was arrested on February 27, 2017 night near Kochi International airport while he was preparing to slip out of the country.

A Childline agency that works among school children had registered the complaint against the priest.

The priest came under pressure after the girl gave birth to a child on February 7, 2017 at a hospital run by the management .

During the trial, the victim and her mother turned hostile. Despite that the court proceeded on the basis of evidences collected already and handed out the verdict.

The police will appeal against the discharge of the six others, who were found to have failed in discharging their duties.