As coronavirus cases in the country surge past 400, a priest in Kerala who conducted a mass at a church defying a Government order against public gatherings was arrested on Monday.
Priest Pauly Padayatti, Vicar of the Lady of Perpetual Help church at Koodapuzha in Chalakudy, conducted the mass on Monday morning in which at least 100 people had participated, police said. The priest was arrested and later let off on bail.
A case under sections 269 IPC (Negligent act likely to spread infection of diseases dangerous to life) and 118e of the Kerala Police Act (causing danger to public) has been registered against the priest and the 100-odd faithful. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country surged to 415, a spike from the figure of 360 the night before.