Cop in Bishop Franco Mulakkal case transferred after sending notice

A Sub Inspector from Vaikom police station in Kerala has been transferred days after he issued a notice to rape-accused priest Franco Mulakkal. Sub Inspector Mohandas sent Mulakkal a notice after a complaint was filed by the survivor in the rape case about defamatory content about her in the social media. The cop in the notice questioned why Mulakkal's bail shouldn't be cancelled and has now been transferred from Vaikom and relieved of his duties vis a vis the case

READ | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Sister Lucy dismissed from church for protesting against accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Trial pending in Bishop Franco Mulakkal rape case

The Kottayam sessions court on Wednesday had asked Bishop Franco Mulakkal to appear before it on the November 11. However, there is no news about the trial or legal proceedings on the Kerala nun rape case after the charge sheet was filed in the month of April 2019, apart from a few stories on intimidation of companion nuns and supporting nun by the church bodies. The chargesheet was filed in the month of April 2019, seven months after the arrest of Ex Bishop Franco Mulakkal who was released on October 15th itself on the court bail. 

READ | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Sister Lucy dismissed from church for protesting against accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Mulakkal charged by Kerala police

Franco Mulakkal was booked under various sections including IPC 342 (Punishment for wrongful confinement), 376 (2) (K) (being in a position of control or dominance over a woman,commits rape on such woman),    376 (C) (I) (Sexual intercourse by a person in authority) 377/506 (1) (Carnal Intercourse against the order of nature with the victim without consent and criminally intimidated the victim by extending threats). The FIR was filed on June 2018 while he was arrested and questioned by the police on September 2018, the charge sheet was filed on April 2019 while the actual trail is going to begin from November 11, 2019.

READ | Kerala nun rape case: Victim alleges harassment by Mulakkal's aides

Bishop Franco Mulakkal receives bail

He was granted bail on October by Kerala High Court in the rape and sexual assault case of the nun. Granting the bail, Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan directed the accused Bishop to surrender his passport and not to enter Kerala state except for appearing before the probe officer once in two weeks on Saturdays. This condition would be applicable till a charge sheet is filed in the case.

READ | Kerala nun rape case: Kerala Court summons Franco Mulakkal for trial