A Pentecostal pastor has been arrested for sexually abusing a pregnant woman. She was raped by the pastor when she was a minor and underwent sexual harassment in many instances from the age of 14. The pastor was booked under the POCSO Act and was arrested while trying to escape.
Vinod Joshua (40), a native of Vellore served as a pastor at the Blessings of Brotherhood church in Keezhakottai, Thoothukudi. He sexually abused a girl from Keezhakottai village in 2018. The girl regularly attended the church for choir practice. She was raped when she was 14 and the abuse continued into her adulthood for 5 years. Pastor Joshua threatened her with murder to warn her against telling anyone. Last year he was transferred to Vellore and now serves at a church there.
The victim got married last year and is 8 months pregnant now. Pastor Joshua reportedly sexually harassed her through WhatsApp video calls. She filed a complaint with women police following which cops launched a search to apprehend him. He was allegedly arrested from the MGR Integrated Bus Stand in Madurai while trying to flee.
As the victim was sexually abused since she was 14, he has been booked under the POCSO Act. During the investigation, he is said to have confessed his crimes.
