A pastor from Kings Generation Church in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, was arrested in Munnar, Kerala, for alleged sexual assault of two children. John Jebaraj, aged 37 years, was arrested yesterday night and brought to a court today, where he was sent to judicial custody.
Jebaraj, who was immensely popular on social media, had evaded the law for a few months. The Central All Women Police Station in Coimbatore was able to apprehend him, having already formed a few teams to arrest him. A lookout notice had been issued to ensure that he could not escape abroad.
He is charged with serious offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) of aggravated sexual assault. As per reports, the incidents are reported to have occurred at a party held at his residence in Coimbatore last May. The incident came to light after one of the victims sought out a relative, who then filed a complaint with the Central All Women Police Station.
This arrest follows a recent Punjab case in which pastor Bajinder Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment for a rape offense in 2018. In the case, the complainant had alleged that Singh had offered to take her abroad and later raped her in his house, threatening to upload incriminating videos on social media.
In the current case, a senior police officer has confirmed that one of the minor victims has lodged a complaint about the abuse to the child welfare committee and investigations are ongoing.
Jebaraj recently filed for anticipatory bail in the Madras High Court, stating that the allegations are false and blaming them on quarrels with his estranged wife, whom he is in the process of divorcing.
