Can’t ‘Prey’ In Kerala: Rape-Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal Gets Bail, Ordered To Stay Away From State

The Kerala High Court on Monday (15 October) granted conditional bail to Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of rape by a nun, reported The Hindustan Times.

Earlier, a Magistrate court in Pala and the Kerala High Court had rejected the plea of Bishop seeking bail, saying that there was prima facie evidence against the Bishop.

The court had observed that allegations against the bishop were grave, and if granted bail, he may influence witnesses using his authority in the church. He was under judicial remand at a sub-jail in Pala, Kottayam district.

However, the bail was issued on conditions that included a bar on the bishop from entering Kerala and also requires him to surrender his passport.

In addition to reporting to the police fortnightly, he will have to appear before probe officials as and when requested by them.

As per the report, Kerala’s State Government has not objected to the bail plea in court.

Mulakkal was arrested on 21 September amid mounting public protests over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting the nun between 2014 and 2016 at a convent near Kottayam. A magisterial court in Kerala on 24 September had remanded the Kerala priest to 12-days in judicial custody.