Kerala Church Scandal: Accused priests get relief from arrest till July 19

The Supreme Court today adjourned the hearing of the plea for anticipatory bail filed by two priests implicated in the Kerala Church rape case till Thursday, July 19..The Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan adjourned the hearing on the grounds that the case needs to be heard at length..Justice Sikri, in an oral observation, said to senior Counsel V Giri appearing for the State of Kerala,.“Now the case has come here and we need to hear it in detail, do not do anything for one day.“.Senior Advocates R Basant and Bechu Kurian, and Advocate A Karthik appeared for the appellant-accused..The accused, belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, approached the Supreme Court after the Kerala High Court turned down their application for anticipatory bail. The priests have been accused of offences punishable under Sections 376, 354, 354A, 506(i) of the IPC..The victim is a married woman while the accused are clergymen of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The husband of the victim approached the Bishop of the Marthomma Church and submitted a complaint wherein allegations of gross sexual impropriety were alleged against a number of priests of the Church..After the matter was leaked to the media, a political leader brought it to the attention of the State Police Chief. Following a preliminary inquiry, a report submitted to the State Police Chief found that a cognizable offence was made out, warranting the registration of a crime..In terms of the directions issued by the Supreme Court, the victim was produced before the Magistrate and her statement was recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC. In the said statement, the victim submitted that she had been blackmailed into having sexual relations with the accused priests..To the contrary, the accused has contended that it is only the husband’s version that the survivor was raped. Further, it has been contended that assuming without accepting that the allegations are true, no case of rape is made out since the sexual relationship was consensual.