The Vedic Sanskrit chanting priest has now been booked for rape under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. Police claim he has confessed.
According to reports, Venkataramanappa’s son-in-law, who is a priest at the Chowdeshwari temple, had gone out of town and he was officiating the arrested accused for conducting daily rituals.
On November 24, at around 4:30 pm, Venkataramanappa saw the girl playing near his daughter’s house.
The girl’s family lives nearby and her father runs a scrap shop. The priest then allegedly called the girl home on the pretext of giving sweets and raped her.
After the girl did not return home, the family started searching for her.
Twitter bloggers say Two days ago, A Hindu Priest in Bangalore brutally Raped 8-Year-Old Alfia Banu. Ashamed for not protecting another innocent Asifa! Time has come to Strongly Declares war on such Extreme Hindutva Stance #RapistPoojary #BangaloreAsifa
A flower vendor outside the temple told the girl’s family that she had seen the girl going into the priest’s house.
The family reached the priest’s house and saw the girl coming out crying.
According to DCP CK Baba said that the girl narrated the incident and a crowd gathered soon after.
Police were informed and the girl along with her parents was taken to the local government hospital for medical tests. Twitter bloggers condemned at large of this incident
The medical report also confirmed the minor been raped by the 68 year old Vedic chanting priest
The priest was then arrested on the basis of CCTV footage and the statement of the flower vendor.
