Kollam (Kerala) [India], Jul 14 (ANI): One of the four accused in Malankara Orthodox Church case, Father Abraham Varghese moved an anticipatory bail plea in the Supreme Court on Saturday.

The Kerala High Court earlier on Wednesday had rejected the bail plea of Father Varghese.

The Crime Branch in June registered a case against four priests of Malankara Orthodox Church for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Kottayam.

The accused allegedly threatened to disclose the victim's confessions, made in church.

The incident came to light when the victim's husband recovered an audio clip related to the case, following which investigation was initiated by the church.

When the case was transferred to the Crime Branch, three of the accused priests applied for anticipatory bail in the Kerala High Court.

While the Malankara Orthodox Church had suspended all the priests after the complaint was filed.

One out of the four priests of accused in the case surrendered on July 12. (ANI)

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