Mum’s the word for the said church and congregation
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 3
Following the shocking revelation of a pastor resigning on grounds of sexual transgression, the police have said that it might start a formal investigation. However, only if a prima case is established.
The Morung Express asked whether the police was contemplating launching a suo moto inquiry into the charges of sodomy, allegedly against minors, by a pastor of the Chümoukedima-based Father’s House Church. “We are making inquiries into that. First, let us make an enquiry. If a prima facie case is established, then we may register a case, if no FIR comes from the church or some other group,” commented one police source.
The source claimed that the police started making inquiries after the shocking revelation went viral on social media. “We are trying to look into the veracity of the case,” the source added.
The alleged sexual misconduct went public after a letter from the church board to its senior pastor, identified as Robert Kikon, circulated on social media groups. In the letter, the board asked the senior pastor to resign from their church, and the church disassociating from him, on account of what it said was the latter’s “immoral acts.” While it did not describe the “immoral acts,” the letter expressed the church’s willingness to extend rehabilitative help to the pastor.
According to what is so far known about the case, the allegation against the pastor includes sodomy. None of the alleged victims of the pastor has come out with a formal complaint thus far, reportedly. “None of the victims have come forward,” as per the police.
The police maintained that if a case has to be registered, it has to first conduct a preliminary inquiry, primary among which include contacting the victims.
Meanwhile, the church’s board has remained off limits to the media, while members of the congregation declined to comment on the allegations against their former preacher.
