Kollam: The vicar has been sentenced to 18 years rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting four students who came to study at a church seminary.
He was the Vicar of St. Mary’s Church, Kottathala, Kollam. Thomas Parekulam was sentenced to 18 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each, including five years in three cases and three years in one case under the Poxo Act.
He also directed the District Legal Services Authority to pay compensation to the students. Kollam Additional Sessions Judge (Pokso) K.N. The verdict was announced by Sujith.
In 2016, he was a priest at Kottarakkara Thevalappuram Pullamala Holy Cross Seminary. He was a member of the Chennai-based SDM Sanyasi community. Based on the complaint received by the Thiruvananthapuram Child Protection Committee, the Puthur police conducted an investigation and Inspector Shenu Thomas filed a chargesheet.
The accused, who escaped from police custody during the investigation, was later nabbed from Chennai.