KOZHIKODE: The State Women’s Commission chairperson K.C. Rosakkutti lambasted police for targeting the aged orphanage head of Missionaries of Cha-rity and the Child Welfare Committee, in connection with the transporting and sheltering the newborn of the victim raped by Robin Vadakkumchery at Kottiyoor. Fr Robin, former vicar of St Sebastian’s church, Neendunokki was arrested by police for raping a minor on February 27. Police had enlisted Sr Ophelia, the superintendent of Holy infant Mary Fondling Home at Vythiri and CWC chairman Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam and Sr Betty, CWC member, for alleged conspiring to hide the newborn.
Ms Rosakkutti told this newspaper that there was no doubt that Fr Robin had committed an unpardonable crime. However, police haunting aged priests and nuns for alleged wrongdoing is embarrassing. “I am telling this because I have enquired about the issues in detail with the family of the victim and with other CWC members. The priest had successfully covered his crime by influencing the family. In the beginning the minor herself was telling the police as well as Child Line workers that her father was the culprit. The father of the girl also repeated the same. Everyone was in the dark about the role of Fr Robin in the case till an anonymous call was received to the Child Line that Fr Robin is the father of the newborn. The girl went to school till February 6. Then she had a pain and went to hospital on February 7, giving birth to the child. The newborn was brought to Vythiri in the night on February 8.
To the best of my knowledge, Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam came to know about the involvement of Robin only when he was informed by Circle inspector Sunilkumar on the very night when he came to Vythiri to take custody of the baby. “When I asked Fr Therakam, he told me that he was shocked when he heard the bitter truth,” Ms Rosakkutti said. In fact he had discouraged the police official from taking away the newborn from Wayanad to Kannur after midnight. But he cooperated as the chairman of the CWC when he was told the culprit was a priest. The name of Fr Robin was revealed only when he asked the official after releasing the newborn,” she said. “We should remember that Sr Betty is not an ordinary nun. She is a state award winning paediatrician. Moreover, the Wayanad CWC received a second term from the state government in recognition for their outstanding performance,” she added.
Ms Rosakkutti said that she knew Sr Ophelia for many decades for her charity and selfless service to children. “I am sad that a 72-year-old nun is running from pillar to post for anticipatory bail. True to the spirit of Missionaries of Charity, she has been caring for abandoned children and hundreds of children and their adopted parents will testify about her dedication. During my inquiry she told me that the newborn was brought soon after delivery and when enquired about the mother, they were told that mother was not healthy enough for a long travel. She was told that the mother was mature and they want to hide the illegitimate child. Soon after receiving the baby they had informed Sr Betty over phone. The mother came with the surrender letter only on February 20. I am speaking the truth as I have personally enquired with the victim as well as the accused about the facts,” Ms Rosakkutti said.
