The Moderator of the Church in South India, the Most Rev. Govada Dyvasirvadam has been accused of assault and sexually harassing the wife of one of his clergy. On 25 June 2014 Mrs. Divena Sastry, wife of the Rev. John Sastry filed a F.I.R. (complaint) with police in Suryaraopeta in the Southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh accusing the bishop in Krishna-Godavari Diocese under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and Section 506j, (Criminal intimidation). Speaking to South India TV9, Bishop Dyvasirvadam denied the truth of the charges, saying his accuser was mentally unbalanced. The bishop further stated the charge was part of a conspiracy to discredit him in retaliation for his having disciplined Mr. Sastry for abusing his office. The investigation is on-going.
