The year 2023 witnessed a series of shocking cases involving child sexual abuse and exploitation by individuals associated with missionary-run institutions in different parts of Bharat. These heinous acts range from abduction, rape, and religious coercion to sexual assault, molestation, and attempts at religious conversion. The victims, often minors, have faced severe physical and psychological trauma, prompting legal actions and investigations. This article sheds light on five alarming instances that have come to light, revealing the urgent need for scrutiny, accountability, and measures to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable children in missionary-run institutions.
In March 2023, a minor from Nisarpur village in Kukshi tehsil, Dhar district, filed a complaint against Vikas Joshi for kidnapping, rape, and religious conversion. Kukshi police booked Vikas under relevant IPC sections, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the MP Freedom of Religion Act. The victim met Vikas on social media a year ago, and after seeking family approval, they married in a church in Barwani on July 13, 2022. Vikas, who initially portrayed himself as a Brahmin, later revealed his conversion to Christianity. He pressured the victim to convert, leading to physical abuse and a miscarriage. After six months, the complainant returned to her parental home and decided to take legal action against Vikas.
Again, in March 2023, in a missionary school in Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh, a case of sexual assault, molestation, and religious conversion of janjatiya girls emerged. A surprise visit by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) exposed the abuse by the principal, padre, and a teacher. The accused principal, booked under the POCSO Act, was released due to administrative failure. NCPCR Chief Priyank Kanoongo visited the school and initiated seven FIRs against the culprits, including government officials. Investigations revealed documents related to baptism, and an FIR was registered under various sections, including the POCSO Act. The inspection team found instances of physical assault on boys, and girls reported sexual abuse by teachers. The unhygienic conditions of the school, including a dead cat in the drinking water tank, were also discovered. The school, despite being government-funded, charged fees, engaged in conversion activities since 1939, and had records of religious conversion. NCPCR directed action against Tribal Welfare Department members involved. The district-level Block Education Officer and TWD’s BEO were suspended, and the Town Inspector was also suspended. Gondwana Gantantra’s leader was booked for revealing names to the media, and FIRs were filed against the school and church authorities for illegal grants. Locals, mostly converted Christians, protested against the inspection, emphasising blind faith in the church authorities.
In May 2023, Pastor Suri Stephen, a 54-year-old pastor in Ooty, was initially booked under the POCSO Act for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. Following his arrest and subsequent release on bail, he appeared on a television program with his lawyer, Charles Vetri Vendhan, where they revealed the victim’s name. This disclosure made the girl feel ashamed, causing her to cease attending school. Subsequently, the victim’s parents filed a complaint against the pastor, his lawyer, and the Executive Editor of the television channel.
The parents once again lodged a complaint against the pastor, his attorney, and the Executive Editor of the television channel. Despite the introduction of the POCSO Act for the prompt punishment of those who engage in the sexual abuse of minors, perpetrators, particularly those in influential positions like the pastor, are readily released on bail, allowing them to persist in their acts of paedophilia.
In July 2023, the Gauhati High Court suo-moto took up the case of sexual abuse of 21 students, aged 6 to 12, by the hostel warden of a government residential school in Arunachal Pradesh. Yumken Bagra, the accused warden, was granted bail by the special POCSO court. The court registered the suo-moto case for the cancellation of bail based on media reports and found that the special POCSO court’s bail order was in gross disregard of the mandatory provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The accused is alleged to have sexually assaulted the children between 2019 to 2022. The medical reports corroborate the assaults, revealing marks of violence on the victims’ private parts. The Gauhati High Court emphasised the need to sensitise special judges in POCSO Courts in the region. It directed the initiation of training and sensitisation for judicial officers dealing with POCSO Act cases in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam.
In November 2023, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a missionary school teacher, Olib Rohit, was accused of engaging in physical relations with a class 10 student and coercing her into converting to Christianity. An FIR was filed against four individuals, including the teacher, on charges of conversion and inappropriate conduct. The victim’s father alleged that, upon discovering the teacher’s pressure for conversion and physical involvement through the child’s chat records, the school teacher admitted to the acts and harassed the family to prevent legal action.
The father also accused the police of bribery, claiming a delay in filing the FIR and mistreatment during the process. The victim’s family filed a complaint against news portals for making the child’s picture viral. The accused teacher’s brother reportedly threatened harm to life and property. Chats between the teacher and the student also went viral at that time, revealing inappropriate conversations and alleged attempts at religious influence.
The teacher, reportedly aged 43, and another teacher named Lokesh were implicated in the case. The father alleged that the accused teacher lived with Lokesh after leaving her husband. Despite requests, the demand to transfer the child to another school was not accepted.
These are just 5 of the umpteen cases registered yearly, thanks to missionaries still thriving in the country.
