One of the Kerala priests accused of raping a woman on multiple occasions has released a video on social media in a bid to present his defence. However, in a major violation of the alleged victim’s privacy, he revealed her name.
The priest from Malankkara Syrian Orthodox Church, Father Abraham Varghese, revealed the survivor’s identity and also named her husband in the now deleted video.
The accused priest removed the video within hours of posting it on YouTube.
In the video, the priest claimed that he was studying in Hyderabad and working in Thiruvalla during the four-year period when the woman alleged he sexually abused her.
“When you go through the details, one cannot stay without questioning the allegations that have been made against me… And not just that, she is also the daughter of my cousin. We are part of the same family. But it’s only after talking to the woman’s mother that I could understand that she has such serious character flaws,” Father Abraham was heard saying in the video.
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“The allegations made against me are completely baseless. I am sure that I will be able to prove my innocence,” he added.
The victim’s family is reportedly planning to seek legal action against him for revealing their identity.
The woman has alleged that she was sexually abused multiple times by four priests. According to her, she even blackmailed and abused her on the basis of her confession.
In the video, Father Abraham also claims that he was told by the woman’s mother that she was a liar, a sympathy seeker and also stole from people.
“Only after talking to the woman’s mother could I understand that she had several character flaws. My wife and I visited the woman’s mother after this complaint; that is when we got to know she has several issues,” he said, adding: “If you check my phone records, my innocence can be proven. The media is saying I am absconding. Let me tell them that my bail was rejected in the HC on July 11 and I applied in the Supreme Court on the 13th. I have been busy with that. And I will cooperate with any investigation.”
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The Kerala Police had taken into custody two priests earlier this month, while two others are yet to be arrested.
The Supreme Court has restrained the police from arresting these two priests, including Father Abraham, till the order regarding his anticipatory bail is out.