Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 9: A second FIR has been registered at the Women’s police station in Mangaluru against 65-year-old Catholic priest Fr Cyprian Pinto, following fresh allegations of sexual harassment made by a 13-year-old boy.
The development has triggered sharp reactions from child rights activists, who are now calling for a state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe to uncover the full extent of the alleged abuse.
According to the latest complaint, the incident took place on May 13, 2026, when the victim was heading to St. Sebastian Church in Permannur village, under Ullal taluk, for Sunday prayers.
Following the victim's account, police booked Fr Pinto under Section 75(2) (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Sections 8 (sexual assault on a child) and 12 (sexual harassment of a child) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy confirmed the legal proceedings, stating that the investigation has been formally handed over to Raveesh Naik, assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Central sub-division.
This marks the second major POCSO case filed against Fr Pinto in quick succession. On October 15, a case was registered at the Mangaluru South police station involving a 14-year-old boy during Fr Pinto’s tenure at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Valencia.
Following charges under BNS Section 75(2) and POCSO Sections 8 and 12, the priest was arrested on October 18 and remanded to judicial custody until October 30 before being granted bail by the court.
Addressing the media, Odanadi Seva Samsthe president Parashuram M L and director Stanley K V urged the Karnataka state government and the City police commissioner to institute an SIT to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation.
Parashuram sought a wider probe to bring everyone involved or responsible to justice, demanding strict action against church authorities and individuals who allegedly knew about the ongoing abuse but failed to report it to law enforcement.
Calling the current revelations potentially "the tip of the iceberg," Stanley warned that several other children may have faced similar abuse. To protect affected families and encourage disclosure, the organisation demanded the establishment of a dedicated, confidential helpline for victims to report abuse without fear, along with robust state protection for victims, parents, witnesses, and complainants.