Kerala Nun Rape Case: Bishop Mulakkal interrogated by SIT for 7 hours, questioning to continue tomorrow

Sep 19 (AZINS) Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, was questioned for seven hours by the special investigation team of the Kerala police in Thrippunithura near Kochi on Wednesday.

Kerala police said that the priest is cooperating with the probe in the case of alleged rape of nun, adding that his interrogation will continue tomorrow.

The 54-year-old bishop was interrogated by SIT head K Subhash, police sources said.

The Jalandhar bishop arrived at the crime branch office in a private car at 10.55 am, five minutes before he was scheduled to appear, local news channels reported.

Earlier, Ernakulam range IG Vijay Sakhare reviewed the progress in the probe with Kottayam district police chief Hari Sankar and investigation officer Subhash, who is also deputy superintendent of police of Vaikom in Kottayam before commencing the interrogation Wednesday morning.

The nun has accused the senior Catholic priest of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

As the bishop joined the probe in the case, the protest by various Catholic reformation organisations and a group of nuns seeking his arrest entered the 12th day on Wednesday.

Activists of All India Youth Federation-CPI also held protest outside the CID Crime Branch office today as the Bishop left after his interrogation.

Bishop claims innocence, says no forcible sexual intercourse

The clergyman filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Kerala High Court Tuesday, claiming that allegations against him were a "cooked up story to wreak vengeance" for the actions taken by him on various complaints received against the nun.

The Kerala High Court adjourned the hearing of the plea for September 25 when it will hear the police version.

Claiming innocence, the bishop has said the complaint was "nothing but a fictional story".

"The complaint is an afterthought and a vicious programme to bring down the applicant who is holding a very high post in the congregation," the plea said.

It said the bishop is "absolutely innocent" and has been "falsely implicated" in the case with an "ulterior motive and vexatious intention".

The plea alleged that the nun and her family members had warned Mulakkal of dire consequences if he continued to take adverse action against her.

There were threats that he will be manhandled if he sets his foot in Kerala, the petition alleged.

Mulakkal alleged that the nun had an illicit relationship with a relative and a complaint about it was received by her congregation --the Missionaries of Jesus.

Referring to the nun's first statement to police, the cleric insisted there was no forcible sexual intercourse.

The petition cited media reports to claim that in her statement recorded before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 CrPC the alleged victim had said she was not coerced into having sexual intercourse.

"This crucial aspect needs to be considered along with the complaint made by her own cousin alleging the de facto complainant of having illicit relationship with her husband.

"This crucial aspect casts serious suspicion on the credibility of the allegations raised by the de facto complainant," the plea said.

Mulakkal said the nun was appointed Mother Superior of St Francis Mission Home at Kuravilangadu in Kottayam district. She was also the Kerala in-charge till 2017, his plea said.

The nun has accused the senior Catholic priest of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

Mulakkal has, however, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and concocted", insisting she levelled those as the Catholic order had rejected her demand for favours.

He had Saturday handed over the administrative charge of the Jalandhar diocese to a senior priest.