Church priest held for minor girl's abuse in Karnataka's Shivamogga

Far Francis Fernandes, a church priest, was apprehended in Karnataka's Shivamogga district for alleged sexual harassment and caste abuse of a 17-year-old minor girl on July 21.

priest has been charged under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) with sexually abusing a child while teaching at a Sacred Church-affiliated college. According to victim's far's complaint, church priest sexually abused her daughter “in name of love." 17-year-old belongs to Banjara community.

Girish,a Banjara community activist, said,” A girl from our community has been sexually harassed. A priest who is part of Sacred Heart College has been  accused of this. girl is just 17 years old. “ activist furr stated, ”We have heard that priest has a history of harassing young girls. police have arrested him. college h done nothing about this. We condemn this incident."

Priest sentenced to judicial custody

Far was arrested by Kote police upon receiving complaint from victim’s  family. He has been sent to 14 days judicial custody after a medical examination. While priest was being taken to judicial custody, a group of youthgared and chanted anti-priest slogans.