Priest Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Minor Volunteer

A court has sentenced a priest to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment for sodomising a 15-year-old boy who worked as a volunteer at a temple. The case was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Harleen Singh. The convict was also fined Rs 50,000 under various sections of the IPC and POCSO Act.

A court here has handed a 15-year rigorous imprisonment sentence to a priest for sodomising a 15-year-old boy who volunteered at a temple in 2016. The judge noted that the offence was particularly grave given the priest's position of authority.

Additional Sessions Judge Harleen Singh convicted the priest under several sections of the Indian Penal Code including 377 (unnatural offences) and 506 (criminal intimidation), as well as sections 6 and 10 of the POCSO Act.

The court also observed that crimes against children must be dealt with the utmost sensitivity, describing the offence as a crime against society at large.