New Delhi: The Supreme Court has rejected the petitions filed by the victim and the accused in the Kottiyoor minor rape case. The court ruled that the victim would not be allowed to marry. He said the two could approach the high court if they wanted to. The Supreme Court said it did not want to interfere with the Kerala High Court order. The petition also sought bail for the marriage. The Kerala High Court not only dismissed the petitions but also ruled that no compromise or lax approach could be taken in such cases. The right to marry must be recognized, the girl said in the petition, adding that consensual sex had taken place.
The case of Robin Vadakkumcheri, a Catholic priest, was the subject of much attention after the POCSO Act came into force. The prosecution convicted the accused in this case, nullifying all attempts to cover up the case with great financial influence and church influence. The convict, who was sentenced to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment under three sections, was still in jail and was trying hard to get relief from the sentence with great financial impact. Defendant, in his late sixties, raped a 16-year-old girl in the synagogue, made her pregnant, and orphaned the girl’s child with church influence.
An attempt was made to tie the rape case to the head of the girl’s father. When the case went to court, he favored the girl and her parents but could not challenge the judiciary. Attempt to influence by money by the priest also worth it in court and, POCSO act and, then he was sentenced to sixty years in prison. The sentence was reduced to 20 years’ imprisonment, as the three sections of the sentence were to be served together. After the sentence, he tried to get the sentence commuted by marrying the girl.
Robin Vadakumcheri’s rape case comes at a time when there is widespread outcry around the world against the sexual abuse of Catholic bishops and priests. Although the church leadership has said it will take strong action against it, many of the prominent figures facing persecution remain in office.
