Bishop Franco Mulakkal appears before investigation officer in alleged nun rape case

Kochi: Ending all speculations, on whether Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is facing charges of alleged rape on a nun, will be present before the investigating officers or abstain citing medical ground, finally appeared before them at Crime branch office in Thripunithura, near here on Wednesday.

Though the police had directed the Bishop to appear before the Crime Branch officials for interrogation in connection with the alleged rape, levelled by a nun, he reached the interrogating office at about 1100 hours.

The interrogation would be made in the high-tech interrogation room, which was equipped with all facilities, including the number of cameras, to record the facial expressions and moods and his statements.

On Tuesday,  the Bishop had moved an anticipatory bail. However, it was deferred to September 25. Earlier, the police had questioned the Bishop from Jalandhar. However, since the police had found some contradictions on the statements given by the Bishop, police had sent a notice to him to appear before the investigating officials on September 19.

There were reports that the Bishop was stepping down his office and sought permission from the Vatican. However, later it was cleared that it was just a routine procedure to hand over the charge to other priests to leave Jalandhar.

Meanwhile, the ongoing fast by the five nuns entered 12th day today and day by day they are receiving mass support from all walks of life, including political leaders, various Christian missionaries, film personalities, environmentalists, social workers and others.

From Monday last, sister of the victim nun started her indefinite fast and she said the ongoing agitation would continue till the bishop was arrested.

Though the agitating nuns expressed confidence on the court, they were not at all satisfied with the state government.The nun made a complaint to the police that the bishop had allegedly raped her several times forcefully.(UNI)