In a setback to Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the Kerala High Court on Thursday reserved its order on his bail plea to October 3 in the nun rape case . The bishop, who is in police custody, has been accused of repeatedly raping a nun at a convent in Kerala's Kottayam between 2014 and 2016.
On Thursday, the prosecution had argued against granting bail to the bishop. It stated that the bishop was arrested based on clear evidences. The Kerala police warned that the bishop might destroy evidences if let out on bail. The police also emphasised on the need to take the investigation to Jalandhar. They also submitted a diary as evidence to the high court in relation to case.
At the same time, the bishop's counsel stated that the case was fabricated and stood by its earlier stance that he was innocent.
Bishop Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 amid mounting public outrage over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting the nun. A magisterial court in Kerala had on September 24 remanded the Kerala priest to 12-day judicial custody.
Meanwhile, the Missionaries of Jesus congregation of Jalandhar met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Wednesday and complained against the police team probing the case of alleged rape of a nun by a Roman Catholic bishop.
Fifteen nuns from the Jalandhar congregation came in support of the accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, a senior member of the country's Roman Catholic clergy, and alleged that the police investigation into the case was "biased".