Kerala evangelist booked for abusing boys in orphanage

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Thiruvananthapuram:

The Kerala police has registered a case against an evangelist who runs an orphanage for boys in Kumbalangi in Ernakulam district for sexually abusing minor inmates.Antony,who runs the institution by name Kripalayam,had allegedly committed unnatural offence on several inmates aged between 3 and 15 years,sources said.

The incident came to light after he fell out with another evangelist who was a partner in the running of the orphanage.Police have registered a case for unnatural offence and also under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Antony also allegedly duped several foreigners of crores of rupees.First he came into contact with an Italian lady by name Nadia who gave him the money to buy 50 cents of land.Subsequently,he met an Irish woman Mary Markomark who contributed about Rs 2 crores for constructing the building. Through them he came into contact with many more foreigners,all of whom gave him money towards charitable purposes, advocate Anila Kumar G,an advocated associated with the matter said.

There were about 25 children in the home in 2006 when the alleged offence was committed, Assistant Commissioner of Police Shamsu Illickal said.Two of the boys in their statements said the priest used to abuse them in the orphanage and also indulge in physical relations with an elderly lady servant of the home and drink in their presence.The accused used to show them porn films also threatened them into silence. Coming to know of the charges,the Irish woman came to Kerala in February and inquired on her own.Finding substance in the allegations and decided to take Antony to task.She then approached the Kochi police with a complaint.