Bishop Mulakkal Granted Bail in Nun Rape Case, Barred From Kerala

The high court, has said that Bishop should not enter Kerala and should surrender his passport before the court.

Jalandhar Bishop, James Franco Mulakkal. Image used for representation. 

(Photo courtesy: The News Minute)

Kerala High Court on Monday, 15 October, granted bishop Franco Mulakkal conditional bail in the nun rape case.

The high court, though, has laid down the conditions that the Bishop should not enter Kerala and his passport should be surrendered before the court.

Bishop Mulakkal is accused of raping a nun of the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) congregation in Kottayam. He became the first bishop in the country to be arrested for rape.

According to the police, the victim was subjected to rape and unnatural sex 13 times between the year 2014 and 2016.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal applied for bail again on 11 October. He had earlier sought bail on October 3, which was rejected by the magistrate’s court.

Franco Mulakkal applied for bail again, claiming that the reasons for which he was denied bail the first time no longer applied. Citing that he was no longer in charge of the Jalandhar diocese and was in no position to dominate or influence witnesses, like the prosecution had earlier claimed, Mulakkal appealed for bail.