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St Anslem School in Alwar, Rajasthan, witnessed high drama on 18 April as angry parents and students protested against a priest of the school for allegedly touching a 15-year-old student inappropriately and sending her indecent messages.
The family claims that accused Father Georgish Britto’s behaviour towards the girl made her very uncomfortable, which is why she brought it up with her parents. Following the protest and the complaint, the police arrested the accused on the adjoining night of 18 and 19 April.
He was then booked under Section 354 (A) (Sexual Harassment), 354 (D) (2) (Stalking) and Section 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The bail application of the Father has been rejected and he continues to be in judicial custody.Seesram Meena, Inspector, Aravali Vihar Police Station to The Quint
Pray for Father Britto: Bishop's House, Jaipur
After Father Britto’s arrest on 24 April the Bishop’s House of Jaipur released a letter in support of the accused, urging everyone to “pray” for him.
“In times of trial, uncertainties and hardships we have only one source of consolation- Jesus the Good Shepherd”, the letter read.
The Quint spoke to the Bishop’s House regarding the letter. Father Prasad, a priest at the Bishop’s House said even though Father Britto had been arrested and an investigation into the matter was going on, “...till the crime is proved (sic) we will consider him innocent”.
Father Prasad also went on to claim that it wasn’t Father Britto but the minor who had grown close to him.
How the Girl Came Into Contact With Father Britto
It all started with an obscene remark about the girl, in the boys toilet of the school.
The girl was disturbed about this incident, and when the school authorities and her parents got to know about it, an internal investigation – headed by Father Britto – was initiated.
The girl’s family and the Bishop’s House share this version. However, no one from the school authority was available to comment.
How the Events Unfolded – Family’s Version
Speaking to The Quint, the girl’s mother said:
The principal of the school had given the charge of the investigation to Father Georgish Britto and he had solved the matter. We thanked him and my daughter had started trusting him because he had helped her. But then he took advantage of my daughter’s trust and started messaging her. My daughter was very scared about this whole incident.
The girl’s parents alleged that Father Britto had even touched her inappropriately at various instances within the school premises.
The enraged mother of the 15-year-old claimed that one night the Father messaged the girl saying, “I want to be your husband and your husband is waiting for you”.
“I used to call him Father. My husband and I personally met him and thanked him for helping our daughter and this is what he has done afterwards”, she said.
The girl’s father mentions that they were physically assaulted by Father Britto when they confronted him.
He went on to claim that the school authorities weren’t helpful and it was actually the school principal who had helped Father Britto flee to Dausa, from where he was nabbed.
The girl’s mother slammed the school for protecting the accused instead of protecting the children.
However, the Bishop’s House had a different version to give.
We Will Continue to Support Him: Bishop’s House
When The Quint contacted the Bishop’s House of Jaipur, which had released the letter in support of Father Britto, Father Prasad said they will not interfere with the law, and if Father Britto is found guilty then the law should take its course.
However, Father Prasad also went on to claim that Father Britto wasn’t the one at fault. He said the girl was upset (after the obscene remark incident) and was seeking counseling from Father Britto. He alleged that it was during these counseling sessions that the girl became attached to him.
Father Prasad went on to claim that the family was referring to the messages selectively, which makes it look like that Father Britto is at fault and that’s not the complete truth.
He asserted that Father Britto is a part of their family and they would lend their full support to him.
Even if he has made a mistake, he belongs to our family. We will support him and do whatever is good for him. If he has made a mistake, he will take the punishment. But we will continue to support him because he is a member of our family.Father Prasad, Priest, Bishop’s House, Jaipur to The Quint
On being asked about why Father Britto fled to Dausa if he was innocent, Father Prasad said, “He was beaten up in the morning by the girl’s brother and a few more people. Then he went to Father Paul, who is the school principal, and told him that he was scared”.
He added that it was after this incident that Father Britto went to Dausa – with permission. However, when the police investigation started Father Paul helped the police to arrest him, claimed Father Prasad.
The Bishop’s House Word Against the Family’s
Responding to Father Prasad’s version, the girl’s outraged mother said if her daughter was undergoing counseling then why was the family never informed about it.
“They are just trying to defend themselves by leveling these allegations”, she added.
The Quint repeatedly tried to get in touch with the school authorities, but they were unavailable to comment.
An investigation into the matter is underway and the accused Father is still in judicial custody.
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