The Kerala High Court has changed the prison sentence of former Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery from 20 years to 10 years from section 376(2) to section 376(1) for raping a minor girl. Apart from this, the court also reduced the fine from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 1 lakh.
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Giving a big verdict in Kerala’s Kottiyur rape case, former Catholic priest Robin Vadakkamcherry’s sentence has been reduced to 10 years. Earlier, the court had sentenced the convicted priest to 20 years of imprisonment. Along with this, the court has also reduced the amount of fine from 3 lakh to 1 lakh.
The Kerala High Court has changed the prison sentence of former Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery from 20 years to 10 years from section 376(2) to section 376(1) for raping a minor girl. Apart from this, the court also reduced the fine from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 1 lakh.
Kottiyoor minor girl rape case | Kerala High Court has reduced the jail term of former Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery to 10 years from 20 years by altering the charges from Section 376 (2) to Section 376 (1). Court also reduced the fine imposed to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 3 lakhs.
– ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2021
Earlier the victim had expressed her desire to marry
In August 2021, the Supreme Court refused to entertain an application filed by the victim of Kerala’s Kottiyur rape case. In this application, the victim had expressed her desire to marry the convicted former Catholic priest Robin Vadakkamcherry. During this, the court had also rejected the petition of Robin Vadakkumchery, in which he had sought quashing of the sentence after marrying the victim.
However, the rape victim had also supported the pastor’s plea in which she had sought pardon. The victim said that she wanted to marry a priest to avoid social stigma and to give legal legitimacy to a child born out of a sexual offence.
Supreme Court bench sent back to High Court
A bench of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari in the Supreme Court said that the High Court has deliberately made strong remarks in the matter after taking note of everything. “We see no reason to interfere,” the bench said. Earlier, Vadakkamcherry had moved the Kerala High Court with a petition seeking to marry the victim, but it was turned down. After this the victim moved the Supreme Court and was disappointed from here too.
After hearing the arguments, the Supreme Court asked the parties to approach the Kerala High Court in the matter. In February 2019, a court found Vadakkamcherry guilty of raping and impregnating a minor and sentenced her to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment. Following this, the Church took steps to sack him from the priesthood and finally removed him in 2020.
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