An incident involving the alleged sexual harassment of a Nepali girl by a priest in Hosur has stirred up commotion in the area.
May Wald, a 57-year-old pastor residing near Hosur in Krishnagiri district, serves in ‘The Seventh-day Adventist Church’ located in the Mathigiri vicinity. For the past 15 years, a Nepali family has been residing in the same locality.
A 17-year-old girl from this family, having recently completed her plus-2 education and currently preparing for the NEET exam, reportedly faced sexual harassment by Reverend May Wald.
Following the victim’s complaint to the Krishnagiri District Child Protection Committee officials, subsequent action was taken, culminating in a formal complaint lodged at the Hosur All Women Police Station. An earnest investigation ensued, confirming the veracity of the allegations against Reverend May Wald.
Consequently, the religious preacher was apprehended and detained by the women police under the provisions of the POCSO Act.
சிறுமிக்கு பாலியல் தொல்லை கொடுத்த திருச்சபை பாதிரியார்..ஓசூரில் பரபரப்பு சம்பவம்#hosur #pocsoact #abuse #arrest #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/qECKYGCUI8
— News Tamil 24×7 | நியூஸ் தமிழ் 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) April 27, 2024
A 14-year-old girl residing in Muthukadai, Ranipet, and attending class 10 at a private school in Arcot used to frequent a nearby church during holidays. However, in December 2022, her routine took a distressing turn when she was allegedly molested by the 54-year-old priest, Raghurajkumar, during one of her visits. The ordeal left her deeply troubled, and despite threats to keep silent, she eventually confided in her parents about the incident recently, prompting them to take swift action.
They filed a complaint at the Ranipet All Women Police Station, leading to an investigation and subsequent registration of a case against Raghurajkumar under the POCSO Act for sexual harassment. Currently, authorities are in pursuit of Raghurajkumar, who has gone into hiding.
With schools closed and children on vacation, child activists and law enforcement officials are urging parents to be vigilant about their children’s interactions and relationships. They emphasize the importance of creating an environment where children feel comfortable discussing any challenges they may face, including understanding the concepts of appropriate and inappropriate physical contact, to ensure their safety and well-being.
(with inputs from Thanthi)
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