Fr. Jeyapaul was accused of molesting two girls in the United States seven years ago.
UCAN India (ucanindia.in)
Erode: A Catholic priest allegedly involved in child abuse cases in the United State was arrested from Tamil Nadu in southern India, police said today.
A police team last evening traced Fr. Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul in a parish near Erode that comes under Ootacamund, his mother diocese.
The police today produced him in the Erode Judicial Magistrate Court that ordered that he be handed over to Interpol officials in New Delhi.
Interpol, an organization that facilitates international police cooperation, has been on the lookout for the 57-year-old priest for the past five years.
Fr. Jeyapaul had gone to the States in 2004 and for a year worked in a children’s care home under Crookston diocese, Minnesota.
Two teenage girls there accused him of sexually molesting them.
Though a case was registered in the US in 2005, the priest returned to India in the same year.
The US police hand over the case to the Interpol that issued an arrest warrant against the priest.
It also informed the Tamil Nadu Police to trace and arrest him.
A police team led by Erode Superintendent of Police S Panneerselvam found him serving as an assistant at Simmittihalli in Thalawady area.
Fr. Jeyapaul has repeatedly denied the charges.
He has repeatedly told reporters that he was innocent and that he would not resist his extradition to the United States to face the charges since he wanted to clear his name.
The case also dragged even the Vatican into it.
Some groups in the States cited documents to allege that the Holy See had aided the priest to escape to India.
According to them, Bishop Victor Balke of Crookston had complained to the Vatican against the accused priest, but it took no disciplinary action.
In another development September 2011, Crookston diocese decided not to fight the case and settle the case paying US$750,000 to the victims.
Along with the sum of money, the diocese agreed to post the Indian priest’s picture and information about the case on its website. It also promised to reach out to and work with other potential victims of the priest.
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Important Notice Regarding Rev. Joseph Jeyapaul Palanivel Litigation:
Reverend Joseph Jeyapaul Palanivel, known to us as “Fr. Jeyapaul,” is a priest of the Diocese of Ootacamund, India. With the permission and recommendation of his bishop, Fr. Jeyapaul came to the Diocese of Crookston in September of 2004. Upon his arrival Fr. Jeyapaul was in residence at the rectory of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN, where he was to acclimate to the Diocese of Crookston and assist the parish priest with his regular duties.
In November 2004, Fr. Jeyapaul was appointed administrator of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Greenbush, St. Joseph Catholic Church of Middle River and St. Edward Catholic Church of Karlstad. He remained in this assignment until September 15, 2005, a period of ten and a half months.
On August 25, 2005, the Diocese of Crookston received a complaint against Fr. Jeyapaul alleging inappropriate behavior with a teenage girl. After investigation, the Diocese of Crookston concluded that it was possible that Fr. Jeyapaul violated the Sexual Misconduct Policy and the Code of Ethical Behavior of the Diocese of Crookston.
On September 15, 2005, twenty one days after the Diocese of Crookston received notice of a possible allegation of sexual misconduct, Fr. Jeyapaul’s assignment was revoked and he was informed of the accusations against him. At this time, Fr. Jeyapaul was in India, and has not returned to the Diocese of Crookston since.
On October 4, 2006, the Diocese of Crookston received a second complaint against Fr. Jeyapaul related to his assignment in 2004. The Diocese of Crookston began an investigation, which was suspended on October 18, 2006 when counsel for the complainant asked the Diocese of Crookston to refrain from contact with the complainant. At this same time, the Diocese of Crookston was given notice of legal action to be taken against it.
The Diocese of Crookston was sued based on a claim of negligent hiring, supervision and retention of an employee. During the discovery phase of the lawsuit the Diocese of Crookston learned of the serious nature of the allegations against Fr. Jeyapaul. These allegations related to sexual abuse of a minor woman, including multiple occasions of sexual assault. The plaintiff and the Diocese of Crookston agreed to terms of settlement on July 13, 2011, prior to the trial.
Criminal charges are still pending against Fr. Jeyapaul in Roseau County, Minnesota.
Posting Fr. Jeyppaul’s photograph on our website so that other potential victims can recognize him was one of the terms of the settlement agreement. Click here to view his photograph and obtain contact information to report sexual abuse.