Kerala HC dismisses rape accused Bishop's petition seeking discharge without trial

Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, dismissed a petition filed by rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal seeking directions to discharge him without a trial from rape case filed against him by a senior nun. accused in his petition h claimed that re was 'lack of evidence' to prove him guilty. A single-judge bench of Justice Shircy V dismissed petition after hearing arguments. 

plea filed by Franco Mulakkal also claimed that re were contrictions in recorded statements of witnesses and refore re was proof to proceed with case. However, prosecution argued that accused was deliberately trying to delay trial in case. Earlier, Mulakkal's petition was rejected by a Kottayam court, following which he approached High Court. 

RE | Kerala Nun Rape Case: NCW Urges Pinarayi Vijayan To Ensure Safety Of Nuns Protesting

Kerala nun rape case

Bishop Mulakkal has been accused of raping and forcing unnatural sex on nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016. As complainant came forward, nuns of congregation came out in support for victim, demanding CM Pinarayi Vijayan's intervention. After being arrested by Kerala police, he was later released by Kerala High Court on an unconditional bail in October 2018.

RE | Kerala Gold Smuggling: UAE Ambassor Assures Full Cooperation With Customs For Probe

In April 2019, Kerala Police h filed a  charge sheet against Franco Mulakkal under various sections ranging from Punishment for wrongful confinement, Sexual intercourse by a person in authority to Carnal Intercourse against order of nature. entire charge sheet filed was 2000 ps long. Sources h told that if charges against Franco Mulakkal is proven, he might get life imprisonment or imprisonment of t less than 10 years. 

RE | Kerala Gold Smuggling: Congress Writes To PM Modi Seeking Intervention, Demands CBI Probe

RE | Following Triple Lockdown, Kerala Police Urges People t To Call m To Fetch Groceries

(With ANI Inputs)