India: Anglican bishop charged with misappropriation of funds

A criminal case has been filed against a Church of South India bishop and 12 others in Salem on charges of misappropriation of some three crores of church funds.

The case charged against Bishop Manickam Dorai, his wife and 10 others, includes cheating, Inspector Kennedy said.

The police is already investigating the alleged misappropriation of funds against the accused in Coimbatore, Udhagamandalam and Erode, English daily Hindustan Times reported.
The Bishop and his wife had already obtained anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court in the Coimbatore case.

Following the alleged irregularities, Bishop Paul Vasanthakumar of Tiruchi and Thanjavur diocese has taken over the additional charge of Coimbatore Diocese.

The Church of South India is the second-largest Christian denomination in India after the Catholic Church. It is affiliated with the Anglican Communion.