Jalandhar’s former Catholic bishop Franco Mulakkal has approached the Supreme Court seeking discharge in the nun rape case.
Franco has also sought stay on the trial proceedings until the Supreme Court pronounces its order in the said plea.
Franco has submitted that he has been framed in the alleged rape case and allegations have been made only to seek personal revenge. He has further submitted that the complaint was filed against him pursuant to him question on the financial dealings of the nun. Moreover there are discrepancies in the statements given by the nun, Franco added.
Earlier the High Court of Kerala had dismissed Franco’s plea seeking discharge in the rape case. The Court had also directed him to appear for trial, however he did not do so pursuant to which the High Court cancelled his bail order and issued a non bailable warrant against him. Thereafter Francco moved the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile the nun and the state governmnet have also filed petitions opposing the said plea of Franco and have requested the Court not to dispose of the case without giving them an opportunity of being heard.
The Supreme Court is likely to hear all the petitions together next week.
Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21, 2018 on rape charges after a nun in the Missionaries of Jesus congregation filed a complaint accusing him of raping her 13 times between 2014 and 2016 in Kottayam.
-India Legal Bureau