Kerala priest booked on charge of raping British woman of Bangladeshi origin

The priest Thomas, was also booked for allegedly stealing the woman's gold ornaments, mobile phone and 1,300 British pounds.

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Police officials in Kottayam have booked a church priest for allegedly raping a British citizen of Bangladeshi origin.

The accused has been identified as 35-year-old Thanninikkumthadathil Thomas, who is the vicar of St Mathew’s Church, Perumthuruth near Kallara in Kottayam district.

After the incident snowballed into a controversy, the Syro-Malabar diocese of Pala to which the priest belongs, unanimously took the decision to dismiss him.

The case was registered by Kaduthuruthi police in Kottayam based on the woman’s complaint.

In the complaint, the woman has said that she met Thomas through Facebook.

“The woman alleged that Thomas repeatedly raped her during her week-long stay on her first visit to Kottayam. She then flew back to UK on January 17”, confirmed police officials.

According to police officials, “On her return to Kottayam on February 8, she alleged that Thomas had stolen her gold ornaments, mobile phone and 1,300 British pounds.”

Police also informed that the woman was shifted to a government-run shelter in Kottayam after she was asked to undergo medical tests as part of the investigation.

“The woman is safe now. She has undergone medical tests as part of the investigation and as soon the results are made available to us, necessary steps will be taken”, police officials said.

The case is progressing under the guidance of Kaduthuruthi CI Thomson KP Thomas.

The accused surrendered before the court on Friday.

Police have registered a case under IPC Sections 376 (2) (commits rape, shall be punished with imprisonment), 380 (Theft in dwelling house), 506 (1) (offence of criminal intimidation) and 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt).

Meanwhile, the priest has denied all the charges slapped against him.