Godda: A woman employed as a cook at a Catholic missionary school in Jharkhand’s Godda district has accused a priest associated with the institution of repeatedly raping her, forcing her to terminate a pregnancy and threatening her with dismissal if she revealed the alleged abuse.
The accused has been identified as Joseph Soren, who is also reported to be the principal of St Alphonsa School. An FIR has been registered at Sunderpahari police station, and police have launched an investigation. The accused was reportedly absconding when the report was published on November 3.
Woman alleges sexual assault after being offered a job
According to the woman’s complaint, she was called to Tilabad Mission in Godda district after being offered employment as a cook.
She alleged that the priest subsequently intimidated and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. The alleged exploitation continued over several months, according to reports based on the complaint.
The woman further stated that she became pregnant following the alleged assaults. She accused the priest of giving her medication to terminate the pregnancy and threatening her with consequences if she refused or disclosed the incident.
Woman suffers heavy bleeding after taking medication
According to the complaint, the woman experienced excessive bleeding after taking the medication and had to be admitted to a private hospital in the district.
Her condition reportedly deteriorated following a procedure to clear her uterus, and she required a transfusion of one unit of blood.
The woman also alleged that she was told approximately ₹60,000 had been spent on her treatment. She claimed that the accused later threatened to recover the medical expenses from her.
She further alleged that she was threatened with losing her job if she refused to undergo the procedure or spoke about the alleged abuse.
FIR registered, police investigation underway
Godda Sub-Divisional Police Officer Akash Bhardwaj confirmed to India Today that an FIR had been registered in connection with the incident in the Sunderpahari police station limits.
He said the investigation had only recently begun and that further details could not be shared at that stage.
Police have initiated an investigation into the allegations. The woman has also been referred for medical examination as part of the investigation, according to reports.
Accused reportedly absconding
The accused was reportedly not available to the police following the emergence of the allegations. Separate reports said police teams were conducting searches to trace him.
The case has also drawn a political response. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth raised the issue on social media, claiming that the woman belonged to a tribal community and demanding strict action against those responsible.
However, the allegations against the accused have not yet been established. The police investigation is ongoing, and the accused’s response was not available in the reports.