Even as the Kerala police resumed interrogation of rape accused Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the Vatican has temporarily relieved him of his duties. Agnelo Rufino Gracias, who is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay, has been given charge of the diocese.
A communique from the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to India said on Thursday that the Pope received the request to relieve Mulakkal temporarily. “Having considered the circumstances, the Holy Father has accepted this request of Bishop Mulakkal and has appointed Rt Rv Agnelo Rufino Gracias, titular bishop of Molicunza and Auxiliary Bishop emeritus of Bombay, as apostolic administrator of the diocese of Jalandhar,” the communique read.
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Mulakkal had written to the Vatican on Tuesday, requesting to let him relinquish the charges temporarily in order to concentrate on the case.
Hours after Mulakkal appeared before the Special Investigation Team for interrogation on Thursday, Kerala DGP Loknath Behera said the investigating officer will decide on whether to arrest the bishop once the examination got over. "After examining him only a decision will be taken. Investigating team is examining him. Let us wait. A decision will be definitely taken today or tomorrow after the interrogation," Behera told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
He said the investigating officer was free to take a call on the issue.
When asked if Mulakkal can be arrested before September 24, the day his anticipatory bail plea will come up for hearing in the high court, Behera said, "I think, legally there is no problem. There is no such law [that bars arrest during pendency of bail plea]. That we will discuss with the legal team."
Citing convention, legal experts had said the priest is unlikely to be arrested before September 24.
The 54-year-old clergyman was grilled for seven hours at the crime branch office in Thrippunitura near Kochi on Wednesday. The bishop reiterated that he was innocent and claimed that he had never stayed at the Mission House in Kuravilangad, as alleged by the nun. Sources said the bishop handed over some 'proof' to back his claim to the interrogators, who were apparently not happy with Mulakkal’s replies.
The bishop had claimed 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 bishop joined the probe at around 11am at the Crime Branch office, where some members of All India Youth Federation staged a protest demanding his arrest. They had also staged a protest Wednesday.
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Some people also burnt an effigy of Mulakkal.
Kottayam Superintendent of Police Hari Sankar said the bishop's questioning was likely to be over today.
Meanwhile, police have tightened security in and around the Crime Branch office.
The nun has accused the senior Catholic priest of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016, allegations denied by the clergyman who has pleaded innocence.
Meanwhile, the protest by various Catholic reform organisations and a group of nuns seeking Mulakkal's arrest entered its 13th day on Thursday.
The agitation at Kochi's Vanchi Square is a spontaneous expression of outrage by these groups over the alleged assault of the nun.
A protesting nun said they were all waiting for the news of the arrest of the bishop, so a strong message went out to those who abused women.
(With inputs from PTI/Onmanorama)
