Tamil Nadu Police have apprehended a 54-year-old church pastor, M Raghu Rajakumar, who had been on the run for five months after being accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The arrest took place on May 6 following an investigation into the alleged incident. According to media reports, the pastor had committed the sexual assault on multiple occasions when the girl visited the church located on Eri Theru (Lake Street) in Ranipet.
The victim’s mother became suspicious of her daughter’s changed behaviour, and, after much hesitation, the girl finally revealed the traumatic experiences she had endured at the hands of the pastor. In December of last year, the girl’s mother took the brave step of approaching the Ranipet All Women police station to file a complaint. The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 7, 8, 9, and 9(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Upon learning about the police case, the pastor went into hiding. However, the diligent efforts of the police paid off when they received a tip about the pastor’s whereabouts. Acting swiftly, they arrested him on May 9th and presented him before the Ranipet Magistrate Court. Subsequently, the court ordered his judicial custody. Critics have pointed out that this is not the first instance of such a case coming to light in Tamil Nadu.
There has been a disturbing trend of church pastors targeting teenage girls and young women who visit churches for prayer or confession. It is crucial to recognise the life-altering trauma experienced by these young victims, and to ensure that their stories receive the serious attention they deserve from the public and authorities alike. The arrest of M Raghu Rajakumar serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that justice must prevail for the sake of the victims and the prevention of future crimes.
