Published 17:33 IST, September 12th 2018
Kerala Nun Rape Case | Clincher exposed: 'Bishop Franco raped nun repeatedly', states Kerala Police affidavit to High Court
Republic TV has accessed an affidavit submitted by Kerala Police's IO regarding the Kerala Nun Rape Case to the Kerala HC. The document, submitted on August 13, 2018, reveals that as per initial investigation, the nun was repeatedly raped by Bishop Franco.
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Update: Kerala Police has summoned rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal on September 19
In a clinching revelation, Republic TV has accessed an 8-page affidavit submitted by Kerala Police's Investigating Officer regarding the Kerala Nun Rape Case to the Kerala High Court.
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The document, submitted on August 13, 2018, reveals that as per initial investigation, the nun was repeatedly raped by Bishop Franco.
The affidavit mentions the following:
1. The dates of rape mentioned by the complainant and the exact location of the bishop tallies as per register of the visitors of the mission home
2. Doctors report that says there's evidence that the nun was sexually assaulted
3. "Sister Anupama who is a member of Missionaries of Jesus Congregation, alarmingly indicated her Father that her life is in danger and if anything happens to her then Bishop Franco Mulakkal will be responsible for her misery"
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4. "On examination of the certified copy of the 164 CrPC statement, it is found that the complainant was subjected to the unnatural offence and raped by the Bishop forcefully against her will and without her consent on several times"
5. "A lookout circular application was submitted to district police chief, Kottayam on 10/07/2018 to prevent movement of Bishop out of India"
The report concludes:
'During the investigation conducted so far and available evidence collected, it is revealed that the accused bishop committed unnatural offence and commitment rape repeatedly on different dates from 05/05/2018 to 23/09/2016 (name not to be revealed) against the will and consent of her by abusing the dominance over her as bishop of Jalandhar after confining her in the guest room of St Francis mission home'
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Here's the affidavit:
No explanation has been received thus far as to why the Bishop wasn't immediately taken into custody following the affidavit's conclusion about him committing rape.
Earlier on Wednesday, Missionaries of Jesus said that it will lodge a complaint against those who are protesting against them and damaging their reputation. It also said that all those protesting have an intention of defaming the Bishop.
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Even as the nun has written to the Vatican seeking justice, the Kerala-based church body slammed those supporting the nun, saying, “eminent political and cultural personalities making false statements without knowing the truth.”
It also took on the Kerala police for supporting the nun, saying, “Kerala police is supporting the nun. That’s why such allegations are being levelled against the Bishop. The nun is spreading utter lies. If we don’t protest against this conspiracy, we will have to face the consequences from God.”
In an interview with Republic TV, accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal continued his slander on the nun. "She is trying to trap me. Let them arrest me if they can. It's a revenge", he said. The Missionaries of Jesus on Tuesday issued a statement continuing a slanderous campaign against the nun. In the statement, the church body had said that the nun had a “questionable character and she had an illicit relationship with a taxi driver”.
In the 3-page press release, the Church body continued with character assassination of the nun, saying, “after investigation by Missionaries of Jesus, it was found that the nun was in a relationship with husband of another woman (the nun’s relative) who complained to Bishop Franco. He ordered an investigation into the same and now the nun is accusing the Bishop.”
The statement while further maligning the victim’s image claimed that she is doing all this to ‘hide her own misdoings’, adding, “We are planning to go to the court against the nun for maligning the Church and the congregation.”
The Kerala High Court on Monday directed Kerala government to inform about the steps taken by the Special Investigation Team of the Kerala Police probing the case of alleged rape of a nun by bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Roman Catholic Church. A bench comprising of Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice AK Jayansankaran Nambiar inquired whether the bishop was questioned by the team in Jalandhar when it went there about a month ago. It also asked the police to inform about the steps taken after the Jalandhar visit.
Considering a plea filed by George Joseph K of the Kerala Catholic Church Reformation Movement seeking a court-monitored probe into the case, the court asked why no steps have been taken to ensure the nun's safety and security.
"Law is above all other things and it will take its own course," the court said and posted the case to Thursday for further hearing.
12:14 IST, September 12th 2018