Nun rape case: Kerala police question Bishop as protestors block road

The Bishop had been summoned in connection with the probe into allegations of rape by a nun amid mounting pressure for action against him and continuing protests by Missionaries of Jesus nuns and officials of various churches for the past 10 days in Kochi.

Franco Mulakkal, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, appeared before Kerala police for questioning on Tuesday in connection with the rape case filed against him by a nun.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal has been summoned by Kerala Police in connection with a rape case filed against him by a nun(File photo)

Earlier, a police team and the Bishop arrived separately at the Crime Branch (CID) office in Tripunthara, on the outskirts of Kochi. While questioning was on, people gathered outside and blocked the road protesting alleged inaction by police in the case.

In a setback to the Bishop on Tuesday, the Kerala High Court deferred till September25 hearing on his petition for anticipatory bail . In his bail plea, the Bishop had said he had been implicated for taking action against the nun.

The Bishop had been summoned in connection with the probe into allegations of rape by a nun amid mounting pressure for action against him and continuing protests by Missionaries of Jesus nuns and officials of various churches for the past 10 days in Kochi.

The day after he received the summons and following mounting pressure and growing protests, the Bishop stepped down and handed over charge of the Diocese to a deputy.

In June, a 43-year-old nun, also a mother superior, had complained to the police that Mullakkal, 54, had raped her 13 times between 2014 and 2016. The nun is a member of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation based in Punjab which runs two convents in Kerala.

She also wrote to Vatican’s India Ambassador accusing church officials, including Pope Francis, of ignoring her complaints.

Calling Mullakal a predator, she alleged at least 20 nuns were forced to leave the congregation due to his sexual advances.

“Bishop Franco had always an eagle’s eye on few other sisters of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation. Whichever sister he felt attracted to, he tried to put them in his trap by force or taking advantage of their weaknesses,” she alleged.

Mulakkal has rejected all allegations, calling them a conspiracy against the church.