Doctor booked for failing to report sexual abuse

In the pic: Fr Edwin Figarez
Story by the Staff Repoter – The Hindu: 31-12-2015. The police team investigating the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl by a Catholic priest at Puthenvelikkara have booked a government doctor for failing to report a child sexual abuse case.

The police said the doctor, identified as Ajitha, was booked under Section 19 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012.

As per the case, the doctor did not alert the police in spite of knowing that the girl had been sexually abused.

A complaint filed by the girl’s mother stated that the doctor had prescribed contraceptive tablets to the class X girl on March 29 this year.

Anticipatory bail

Meanwhile, officials said the doctor was booked after she had moved the court for anticipatory bail in October.

Figarez, former parish priest of Lourdes Matha Church, Puthenvelikkara, surrendered before the Ernakulam Rural police superintendent on December 8 after absconding for about eight months.

As per the complaint, the girl was first abused by Figarez at parish house attached to the church in January last.

As per the victim’s statement, the accused allegedly showed her porn videos on his laptop.

The doctor did not alert the police in spite of knowing that the girl was sexually abused.

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