Former nun accuses priest of sexual abuse

Chennai: A former nun in Tiruchy has filed a police complaint against a priest, also the principal of a prestigious college, alleging that he sexually abused her, resulting in her pregnancy, which led to her subsequent removal as a nun.

Francismary, 28, once a nun, had joined a college in Tiruchy in 2006 for pursuing her MA. During this time, she met Rajarathinam, principal of St Joseph's College. One day in January 2006, when she went to meet him, Rajarathinam served her a cold drink laced with sedatives, she alleged in the complaint. She was raped, her obscene pictures were taken on the cellphone camera, and she was threatened against telling anyone about it.

Rajarathinam took her to several places and abused her, she said, adding that this resulted in a pregnancy which was aborted at a private hospital in 2008. However, when the news about her pregnancy and abortion became public, Francismary was removed from the order.

She also named a few other priests of threatening her on behalf of the accused priest. A case has been registered at the Tiruchy Fort Women's Police Station, according to police sources.