Temple Priest Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Abusing Minor Girl in Tamil Nadu

A 75-year-old chief priest of a prominent temple in Thiruvalanchuzhi near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, was arrested on Thursday following allegations of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl inside the shrine last month. The accused, identified as Viswanatha Iyer, who had served at the temple for several years, faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after police investigations confirmed the survivor's account. The incident, reported to authorities shortly after it occurred on September 8, has shocked the local community and raised fresh concerns over child safety in religious institutions managed by the state.

According to police, the girl had visited the ancient Airavateswara Temple—dedicated to Lord Shiva and a UNESCO World Heritage site under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department—with her family for darshan. While her relatives waited outside, she proceeded alone to the hundi, or offertory box, area to deposit an offering. It was there, in a secluded corner of the temple premises, that Iyer allegedly approached her and committed the assault, exploiting the momentary isolation.

The survivor, a Class 8 student from a nearby village, confided in her parents upon returning home, prompting them to file a complaint at the Kumbakonam Taluk police station. A senior officer confirmed to NDTV, "Yes, this happened recently in the temple. After inquiry, we found the allegations true and have arrested him." The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012 to safeguard minors from sexual exploitation, mandates stringent penalties, including life imprisonment for aggravated offences, and prioritises victim-sensitive procedures like special courts for swift trials.

The temple, known for its Chola-era architecture and annual festivals drawing thousands of devotees, falls under HR&CE oversight, which regulates over 38,000 religious sites in Tamil Nadu. This case echoes a disturbing pattern of abuse in sacred spaces; in 2024 alone, the state reported 1,200 POCSO cases, with 15% linked to educational or religious settings, per National Crime Records Bureau data. HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu announced an internal audit of priest vetting processes, stating, "We will not tolerate such betrayals of trust and have suspended the accused pending inquiry." Local women's rights groups, including the Tamil Nadu Women's Forum, have demanded CCTV installations in temple inner areas and mandatory background checks for archakas, highlighting how cultural reverence for priests often silences victims.

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The arrest was executed swiftly after forensic medical examination and witness statements corroborated the girl's testimony, with Iyer remanded to judicial custody. Counselling support has been extended to the survivor through the state's One-Stop Centers, which provide legal aid and psychological aid under the Nirbhaya Fund. As the investigation continues, community leaders in Thiruvalanchuzhi have rallied for enhanced vigilance, underscoring the need for broader reforms to protect children in places of worship. Tamil Nadu police chief Shankar Jiwal reiterated zero tolerance, noting a 20% rise in POCSO convictions in 2025 due to awareness campaigns. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities persisting despite legal safeguards, urging collective action to restore faith in these cultural bastions.

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