By Express News Service

KOCHI: The police on Sunday arrested a 65-year-old priest on charges of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy.

The police said that Fr Basil Kuriakose, who is also serving as principal of a school, abused the boy in the dormitory of the school’s hostel when the other students had gone home to spend Christmas holidays. He committed the crime while sleeping with the boy on December 21 night.

The school is run by a charitable trust, and is not linked to any religious organisation. The accused had joined the residential school as principal after retiring from an aided school. His wife is a retired professor, and the couple has a son settled in Australia. “Denying the charges, Fr Basil in his statement said though he had shared the room with the boy on the day, he did not abuse him,” said police officials.

“The incident came to light after the boy revealed the matter to his elder brother, when he visited his home at Kottayam on December 23. On being informed by the victim’s brother, their mother who along with her husband is working in Haryana, came to Kerala and filed a complaint at the Kunnathunadu police station,” they added. A case was been registered against Fr Basil under Section-377 of the IPC, and various Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual offences Act (POCSO Act).