Coimbatore pastor wanted in POCSO case arrested at Munnar

Coimbatore pastor arrested for alleged sexual assault on minor girls, apprehended in Kerala after week-long search.

A special team of the Coimbatore City Police arrested John Jebaraj, 37, pastor of Kings Generation Church on Cross Cut Road in Coimbatore, from Kerala for alleged sexual assault on two minor girls.

A senior police officer said that Jebaraj, who had been at large for about a week, was arrested from Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala late on Saturday (April 12, 2025). He was brought to Coimbatore early Sunday morning.

Jebaraj is accused of having sexually assaulted two girls aged 17 and 14 at a party at his residence in Coimbatore on May 21, 2024.

According to the police, one of the survivors lodged a complaint against him at the All Women Police Station, Coimbatore central, a week ago and he was booked for offences under Sections 9 (l) (m) (aggravated sexual assault) and 10 (punishment for aggravated sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

With Jebaraj absconding, City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar formed three special teams under Assistant Commissioner of Police T.H. Ganesh to trace him. The police also issued a lookout notice against him to prevent him from leaving the country.

Meanwhile, the police received reliable information that Jebaraj was hiding at Munnar. A special team headed by inspector R. Arjun Kumar rushed to Munnar late on Saturday and arrested him. He was brought to Coimbatore for remand. He was produced before a judge and was remanded in judicial custody till April 25.

Jebaraj, who has a large number of followers on social media platforms, was known for his Christian devotional songs and live performances. He was associated with Levi Ministries, a Christian ministry.