Kerala nun rape News

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016, has been acquitted by a Kottayam court in Kerala.

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Their congregation --Missionaries of Jesus under Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic Church-- has directed the nuns to join the convents they were assigned previously as per the transfer orders issued between March and May in 2018.

Father Vattoly, who himself did not reportedly take part in the protest, was warned of ecclesiastical action in case of disobedience.

Mulakkal, after undergoing a routine medical check-up, was produced before Judge M Lekshmi of the Pala Judicial Magisterial Court here who extended his judicial custody for another two weeks.

The state police, in its remand report, had said that Mulakkal came to the convent with the intention of sexually assaulting the victim.

On Saturday, Franco Mulakkal was sent to a two-day police custody. His bail application was also dismissed by the court.

A statement from the CBCI read, "We have learnt from the media about the developments in Bishop Franco Mulakkal`s case. It is a sad moment for all of us."

The 54-year old Mulakkal was arrested by Kerala police after intense interrogation over the last three days. 

The announcement comes just days after the Bishop had written to the Vatican, expressing his desire to step down temporarily from Church responsibilities.

A Kerala nun has accused the 54-year-old former Bishop of repeatedly raping her between 2014 and 2016.

Meanwhile, Bishop Mulakkal has been brought to the notice of the Vatican.

The congregation put out the photograph in a release issued to the media to publish the findings of its enquiry commission, which looked into the nun's allegations. 

The inquiry commission said ten people -- the victim, five nuns and four other people -- conspired against the Bishop. 

Expressing satisfaction in the ongoing probe, the court observed that since it was an old case, the probe and the investigation will take time and "not the arrest but final punishment of the accused is more important".

"If there is any complaint against any MLA, member or a minister inside or outside the Assembly, the ethics committee is bound to examine the matter and submit a report to the Speaker," said Sreeramakrishnan.

The affidavit, dated August 10, 2018, was filed in the Kerala High Court. 

In a searing letter to the Vatican that was made available to the media Tuesday, the nun also asked will the Church be able to give back what she has lost. 

Pointing a finger at the nun, George said that she had enjoyed the act for 12 times but the 13th time she had alleged it rape.

At least five nuns from a convent in Kottayam, to which the victim belonged, also took part in the demonstration and alleged that the victim had been denied justice by the church, police and the government.