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Kerala police have decided to arrest the bishop if his answer is not satisfying them.
Kochi: The Kerala police have directed Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal to be present at the Vaikkom DySP office by 10 am on Wednesday for investigation. He will be interrogated by a five-member team led by Vaikkom DySP K Subhash.
The inquiry team has prepared a questionnaire with more than a hundred questions and sub-questions. It has been decided to arrest the bishop if his answer is not satisfying the police. District police chief Harishankar has indicated that the interrogation may continue for two days or more.
Kerala police have collected more evidence against the bishop. However, the investigation officer did not reveal any details about them to the media. The bishop is charged with sexual abuse case by a nun in the State.
The police have asked Jalandhar diocese to narrate the details of the bishop’s journey. However, the police have not received any details yet. If the bishop lands at Nedumbassery airport, he will be brought to Vaikkom DySP office in a police vehicle or under police protection for interrogation.
Meanwhile, the bishop’s helpers already arrived at Kottayam on Sunday. Extra police force will reach the district. Security has been deployed at the convent in Kuruvilangad too.
Fr Peter Kavumpuram, PRO of Jalandhar diocese and a close friend of Franco Mulakkal, is also accompanying the bishop. The police had earlier interrogated the bishop in Jalandhar. The interrogation in Jalandhar was about nine hours long, and the police returned to Kerala after recording his statement.
The bishop was not present at the Jalandhar diocese for the past two days after handing over his charges to another priest. The bishop's house informed that he was at his home in Thrissur. Bishop handed over the letter to the Vatican’s representative in New Delhi on Sunday.
He had also handed over his responsibilities to another priest as the bishop is flying to Kerala for further investigation. People also allege that he fears that the church leadership may stand against him if he gets arrested when he sits as the chief of the diocese.
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