A Catholic priest associated with St Vincent Ferrer Church in Valencia, Mangaluru, Karnataka, has been arrested over allegations of sexually abusing multiple minor boys. The case came to light after the victims’ families approached child protection authorities and a Mysuru-based NGO intervened.
The accused, identified as Father Cyprian Pinto, was arrested by the Mangaluru police on Sunday from a relative’s house. A case has been registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to News18, the victims’ parents had approached the Karnataka Directorate of Child Protection seeking justice after allegedly failing to receive a satisfactory response from the Bishop of the Mangaluru Diocese. The Directorate subsequently directed the Dakshina Kannada District Child Protection Unit to investigate the allegations.
The matter reportedly gained further attention when one complainant spoke to his friends, some of whom allegedly disclosed that they had experienced similar incidents involving the priest. The boys alleged that they had been inappropriately touched after being called into the priest’s chamber.
One reported incident took place on August 14 at around 6:30 pm. A minor boy who had visited the church for a prayer-related discussion was allegedly taken to a reception room, where the priest hugged him tightly and touched him inappropriately.
The victims’ families reportedly approached the head of the Mangaluru Diocese before seeking further intervention. According to the news report, the Bishop allegedly advised the parents to keep the matter confidential. The allegations against the Bishop have not been independently established.
A Mysuru-based NGO, Uddani, subsequently brought the matter to the attention of Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy. Police met the alleged victims and facilitated the filing of a complaint, leading to the priest’s arrest.
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