Husband's alcoholism can be cured through pujas; priest who molested woman gets 22 years rigorous imprisonment

THRISSUR: Priest who sexually assaulted a woman by saying that she could cure her husband's alcoholism with pujas was sentenced to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,10,000. The Kunnamkulam POCSO Court passed the sentence. Santhosh Swamy (Santhosh Keshavan,​ 34), who lives at Poonthootil house Peringandoor, was sentenced by Kunnamkulam Fast Track Special Court Judge S Lisha.

The incident related to the case was in 2016. The accused had instructed the woman to perform some pujas to stop her husband's drinking. The accused called the woman to the temple near his house for this and then he took the victim to his house and abused her. After this, he broke into the victim's house threatening to disclose the information about the molestation and abused her again. The case is that the accused threatened the victim and molested her after calling her to a lodge near Thrissur Medical College several times.

18 witnesses were examined in the case. Another case for abusing another woman is also pending against the accused. KS Binoy was the Special Public Prosecutor.