Mangaluru: A Church priest allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old boy after the latter failed to answer questions on the Bible, during his first communion catechism class in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Mangaluru.

As per police, the priest, Andrew D’ Costa is absconding.

The incident took place on April 12, but the case was registered on April 18.

The boy hailing from a poor family, went back home to narrate the incident. Raged by the same, his family lodged the complaint against the priest.

A case has been booked under Juvenile Justice Act and IPC 324.

Mangaluru Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza has asked the priest to co-operate with police and to also apologise to the boy’s family.