Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 29: The Additional District and Sessions Court here has granted conditional bail to the former parish priest of St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, Rev Fr Cyprian Pinto (65), who was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor boy who visited the church.
Following the registration of a POCSO case at the Mangaluru South police station on October 15, the accused surrendered before the police on October 18 and was subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Judge Manu K S pronounced the order approving his bail application.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, advocate Rajesh Kumar Amtady contended that the priest was falsely implicated by individuals disgruntled by his strict disciplinary measures at the church premises, which included closing the gates after 7 pm. The defense highlighted a delay of over two months between the alleged incident and the filing of the complaint.
Furthermore, it was brought to the court's notice that a prior police inquiry, conducted on the instructions of the Child Protection Directorate regarding the same issue, had reportedly found no substance in the allegations. The advocate also urged the court to consider the 65-year-old accused's declining health and various medical conditions.
After hearing the arguments, the court granted bail upon the execution of a personal bond of Rs 1 lac along with a surety of a like sum. The court imposed strict conditions, directing the accused to appear for all court hearings without fail, cooperate with the investigating officer when summoned, and refrain from meeting or harassing the minor victim.
Additionally, the accused is prohibited from tampering with evidence, cannot leave the country without prior permission from the court, and must furnish his residential address and mobile number. The order clarified that the prosecution is at liberty to seek the cancellation of bail if any of these conditions are violated.