Kerala, July 2: The Police have registered a case of rape and molestation against four priests who allegedly molested a married woman by blackmailing her about the confession she had made. The issue came to light after an audio clip came to light where a resident of Thiruvalla alleged that his wife was facing the abuse even before they were married.

The Malankara Orthodox Church in Kerala had suspended five priests after the charges. A church spokesperson had said that "the victim was subjected to sexual abuse by blackmailing her with her confessional secrets."

The victim, in her statement to police, confirmed that she was raped and blackmailed by the priests, according to news agency ANI:

On June 29, the case was handed over to the CBI. The matter was earlier investigated by the church itself.

The Director-General of Police had handed over the letter of former chief minister VS Achuthanandan, in which he asked the crime branch to probe the matter.

On July 1, women members of a Kerala-based outfit had sought reform of the centuries-old method of sacrament of confession, saying nuns be allowed to perform the penance for women.

Representatives of the Kerala Church Act Action Council, an outfit comprising members from various church denominations who stand for reforms in the Church, said there was a possibility of intimate confessions by women being "misused" in the present form. However, it is now clear that there will be an official inquiry in the whole church scandal, as the CBI has taken over the case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2018 01:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).