KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday declined to grant bail to a Catholic priest who is accused of molesting a minor girl from the community.Justice Sunil Thomas considered the bail plea of 41-year-old Edwin Figarez, who was the priest of a church at Puthenvelikkara under Kottappuram diocese. He had gone into hiding since April last year after Ernakulam rural police registered a case against him. He was arrested in December.According to the police case, the 14-year-old girl was exploited by the priest several times between January and March last year, with the latest incident being on March 28th. The complaint was filed by the girl’s mother after the victim revealed her trauma to the family. The priest who was active in the field of Christian devotional songs allegedly lured the girl by exploiting her interest in music.Police had booked the priest for rape under provisions of Indian Penal Code (section 376) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. He was arrested after his petitions for obtaining anticipatory bail was turned down by the high court and then the apex court.While declining to grant anticipatory bail, the high court had pointed out that the accused in the case is a priest who is supposed to teach moral values and prevent people from committing any crime. The court had also said that custodial interrogation is required to find out whether similar crimes were committed against any others by the same accused.