Priest held for harassing mentally challenged woman

Kolkata: A priest was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a mentally challenged woman at Parnasree. Locals alleged that the priest identified as Upendra Pathak used to harass her on a regular basis. He used to work at the temple beside the police quarter complex near Behala Ajanta cinema.

According to the sources, the victim girl and Pathak both used live in the same area. Locals alleged that Pathak used to torture her when the girl visited to the temple. Pathak used to take her to a room beside the temple.

Sources informed that Pathak used to harass her sexually and also threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone about his act. On Thursday morning, she again visited the temple. Sometime later her elder sister went to check on her as she had not returned for long.

When the sister reached the temple she saw her sister was being taken to a room by Pathak. She followed Pathak to the room and found he was about to sexually harass her. She immediately raised an alarm and detained Pathak.

On hearing her screams, locals and other devotees ran to the room.

The victim was taken home where she said Pathak used to harass her regularly.

Meanwhile, Pathak also admitted to have harassed her. Parnasree Police Station was informed. Before police could reach, locals allegedly ransacked Pathak's home. Pathak was arrested and the victim woman was sent for necessary medical tests.

According to the sources, the sleuths might seek help from her teachers to know the incidents in detail.