Insta
Rape Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal.
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.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest