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MADURAI: A 52-year-old pastor was arrested by Valliyoor all woman police in Tirunelveli district on charges of repeated sexual abuse of a seven-year-old girl. Accused S Selvaraj of Siragodu village near Pechiparai in Kanyakumari district was pastor in the church for two decades. He was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

According to the police, the victim, who is a school goer, lived close to the church where she and her family members used to go. A police spokeswoman said the incident took place on Wednesday when the girl was on the church premises. She was initially unaware of his sexual advances and realised that things were going wrong when he made her feel uncomfortable.

The girl ran into her house and based on her alert her parents rushed to the place and picked up an argument with Selvaraj. The parents also lodged a complaint with the Valliyoor all woman police on Wednesday night, following which the accused was picked up for questioning. Police said preliminary inquiries revealed that the accused repeatedly abused her on December 25 and 31 and in February.

He was booked under sections 9(f) (whoever being on the management or staff of an educational institution or religious institution commits sexual assault on a child in that institution), 9(l) (whoever commits sexual assault on the child more than once or repeatedly) and 9(m) (whoever commits sexual assault on a child aged below twelve years) read with (punishment for aggravated sexual assault) of Pocso Act.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)

