Kerala rape case: Now victim says sex with Catholic priest was consensual

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3: In a major setback to the prosecution in the rape case against a Kerala Catholic priest, the victim who is the prime witness in the case and her mother who is a second witness have turned hostile.

She stated in court that the sex with Robin Vadakkuncheril was consensual and she also wanted to marry him. Further she also told the POCSO court at the time of the incident, she was not a minor.

According to special prosecutor, Beena Kaliyath, she had also told the court that she was not under threat and claimed that she had attained the age of consent, when the incident happened.

The prosecution has chargesheeted Vadakkuncheril and nine other in the case, which was reported last year. With the victim backtracking, the court has now declared her hostile.

Further the victim's mother who was the second witness in the case also turned hostile.

The mother too told the court that her daughter was not a minor at the time of the incident.