Kochi: The High Court has reserved its order on the bail plea of former Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal in the case of a nun's alleged rape. The verdict is postponed to next Wednesday.
At the same time, the police asked the court not to grant bail to Mulakkal. The state government has also informed the court that the investigation is on. Two other people have filed complaints against Franco Mulakkal, after his arrest in this case. He has been accused of bribing the nun's family to withdraw the case. Bishop's lawyer argued in the court stating that the nun had a high rank in the church and she was removed due to some reasons. And as revenge, she has filed this false case against the bishop.
Franco Mulakkal was arrested by the Kerala police on September 21 on charges of raping a nun of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation in Kottayam. The arrest of the high profile religious leader came 87 days after a nun filed a complaint of rape and sexual harassment in Kerala. Meanwhile, Mulakkal is remanded to judicial custody till October 6 by Pala magistrate court, Kottayam.
Earlier, the high court had informed that it is not necessary to hand over the investigation against Franco Mulakkal to the CBI. The high court has clarified that the police should be able to handle the case independently. The court has handled all the public interest litigations filed in connection with the case. The court also asked whether there is any other intention behind the petitions.
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