Preacher held under POCSO Act for sexually assaulting 17-year-old in Coimbatore
India Today
A preacher in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore was arrested by police officials under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in her house when her grandmother was away.
A preacher from Malumichampatti taluk in Tamil Nadu Coimbatore district was arrested by Perur Police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old-girl.The minor girl was living with her younger sister at her grandmother’s house. Stephen Raj, the accused preacher, had taken a house for rent in the area and was preaching from the house on Fridays.
He also used to visit several locations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for sermons as well.
He was arrested after the 17-year-old girl informed her grandmother that when she was alone in the house with her sister, Stephen Raj entered and locked her sister in a room. He had sexually assaulted the minor girl, and when she started to cry for help, he fled the scene.Based on the complaint filed by the child’s grandmother, Perur Police nabbed Stephen Raj, and after an enquiry, booked him under various sections of the POCSO Act. Further investigations are underway.
