A long-serving priest in Mangaluru has been taken into police custody following serious allegations of sexually abusing minor boys. Father Cyprian Pinto, who has been associated with the St Vincent Ferrer Church in Valencia since 1988, was apprehended at a relative’s residence in Sakleshpur. The arrest followed a formal complaint and subsequent investigation initiated after a Mysuru-based non-governmental organisation, Odanadi, escalated the matter to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner.
According to details provided in the complaint, the priest allegedly targeted minors by luring them with chocolates before taking them into a room near the church’s sacristy to commit sexual assault. One specific account detailed an incident on August 14, where a boy visiting the church for a discussion was reportedly taken to a receptionist’s room and touched inappropriately. The complaint further stated that when the child shared his experience with peers, several others disclosed similar encounters with the accused.
The family of the initial complainant alleged that they first sought help from the leadership of the Mangaluru diocese but were advised to maintain confidentiality. KV Stanley, co-founder of the NGO Odanadi, alleged that the church leadership conducted an internal inquiry and placed the priest on administrative leave instead of alerting law enforcement. The parents eventually approached the Karnataka Directorate of Child Protection, which directed the Dakshina Kannada District Child Protection Unit to look into the grievances following a letter issued on August 31.
The investigation gained momentum only after Odanadi brought the issue directly to the attention of Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy. Following this intervention, police officials met with the alleged victims to facilitate the filing of an official complaint. A formal First Information Report (FIR) was subsequently registered, allowing investigators to track and arrest the priest.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that investigators have identified five alleged victims so far. As the inquiry continues, authorities are actively collecting further details and evidence surrounding the reported incidents. The case has been registered under Sections 8 and 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The allegations against Father Cyprian Pinto remain under investigation and have not yet been established in a court of law. As this case progresses through the legal system, it has drawn significant attention to the handling of internal complaints within religious institutions and the mechanisms available for reporting crimes against minors. The police have maintained that they are working to ensure a thorough probe into all claims made by the affected families.
Moving forward, the focus of the police remains on gathering sufficient evidence to support the charges filed. The involvement of state child protection agencies underscores the gravity of the accusations. Further updates are expected as the investigation proceeds and more information is verified by the authorities.
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