(Representative image)

PALLAKAD: The chief judicial first class magistrate court here has recorded the statements of Coimbatore bishop Thomas Acunis and four other priests, Fr B F Madhulaimuthu, Fr Kulandairaj, Fr Malaquer and Fr Lawrence Melque , in connection with the murder of a minor girl.

It has been alleged that the 17-year-old first-year degree student was murdered by H Arokairaj , priest of a Walayar church. Her body was found in the church complex on July 23, 2013.

Police registered the case against the bishop and the other four for suppressing case-related information.

Investigators alleged that the church authorities were aware of the "series of sexual abuses on a minor. They reported the matter to Rome but hid the same information from the police."

Earlier, the Walayar police concluded that the student had committed suicide. Later, a sting operation by a local TV channel purportedly showed the priest confessing to the crime.

