Christian Pastor arrested under POCSO Act for sexual abuse of 13-yr-old girl in Ooty

A 54-yr-old pastor has been arrested for sexually abusing a 13-yr-old girl child in Ooty. It is being reported that he allegedly took advantage of the child and molested her when he went for a prayer meeting to her house, and found her to be alone.

Suri Stephen hails from Nilgiris district, Ooty. He is a pastor who visits the houses of many in order to conduct prayer meets. A complaint has been filed against him, by the mother of the victim, who has said that Suri Stephen behaved inappropriately and sexually molested her girl child, when he went to their house to conduct a prayer meet, and found her to be alone. The complaint was filed in the Ooty All Women Police Station.

Based on this complaint, the Police initiated an inquiry of Pastor Suri Stephen. The investigation confirmed that he was involved in sexual abuse of the child. The Pastor was immediately prosecuted and imprisoned under the POCSO Act.

One of the Police officers who spoke about the matter said, “Suri Stephen (54) alias Suriya Murthy, a pastor, was involved in sexually abusive activities towards a 13-yr-old girl. She was rescued by neighbours after they heard her scream in fear. The girl’s mother subsequently lodged a complaint at the All Women Police Station. We arrested the pastor on the basis of the complaint, and produced him in Court. The judge has remanded him in Judicial custody until 3rd February.”

(With inputs from Junior Vikatan)

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