Eluru pastor arrested under POCSO Act for sexual assault of minor

The Tadikalapudi police have arrested Chavatapalli Rambabu alias Hosanna on charges of raping a minor girl in Eluru district and impregnating her.

The accused, who was running a prayer house in the district, allegedly took the girl to his prayer house when she was alone at home, a couple of months ago, the police said.

The girl’s mother lodged a complaint with the police alleging that the accused gave the girl a heavy dose of pills to abort the pregnancy, which left her in a critical condition.

Eluru district Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore said a case had been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and other relevant sections.

The team that arrested the accused was led by Jangareddygudem Additional Superintendent of Police Susmitha Ramanathan, with Tadikalapudi Sub-Inspector S. Valli Padma, the SP said on Sunday (May 10, 2026).

The accused will be produced in court, Ms. Susmitha said.