Published 12:30 IST, October 23rd 2019
Kerala nun rape case: Victim alleges harassment by Mulakkal's aides
The victim has written a letter to NCW and State Women commission alleging that she was being harassed by supporters of Bishop Franco Mulakkal on social media
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Update at 12: 20 PM
Rape accused,Ex-Bishop Franco Mullackal has been summoned by the kerala police and has been asked to appear before the Kottayam Additional District sessions court before Nov 11.
In a big development in the Kerala nun rape case, the victim has written a letter on Wednesday, to the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the state Women Commission alleging that she was being harassed by supporters of Bishop Franco Mulakkal on social media. She has alleged that closed aides of the accused are abusing her and targeting her through social media channels in an attempt to make her withdraw her complaint. Mulakkal has been accused of raping the nun in 2018.
Nun alleges harassment by Mulakkal aides
In her written complaint, the nun has stated that through a YouTube channel, Franco's aides have alleged been posting videos targeting her to demean her. The nun has further alleged that while 8 cases had been registered in connection with the case, not even a single charge sheet has been filed till date. She also alleged that the former Bishop has been attempting to influence the probe team.
She has stated that such actions by the accused are in violation of the bail conditions laid down by Kerala High Court. She has also sought the Kerala Women Commission's intervention in the matter. Mulakkal who had been arrested in the connection to the case is currently out on bail.
Earlier in August, one of the nuns - sister Lucy Kalapura from Franciscan Clarist congregation, who was protesting seeking justice for the victim was dismissed by the congregation for the same. Sister Lucy Kalapura participated in the protest which happened in September 2018 and also voiced her opinion in several media forums. Apart from her dismissal, she was also relieved from her religious duties and made to vacate the premises.
What is the Kerala nun rape case?
Bishop Mulakkal has been accused of raping and forcing unnatural sex on the nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016. As the complainant came forward, nuns of the congregation came out in support for the victim, demanding CM Pinarayi Vijayan's intervention. After being arrested by the Kerala police, he was later released by the Kerala High Court on an unconditional bail in October last year.
Back in January, sister Anupama had been at the forefront of the campaign against the rape accused, along with sister Alfie, sister Josephine, sister Ancitta and sister Nina Rose. They had expressed the church authorities' pressure to transfer them and splitting them up. The nuns also wrote a letter to the CM expressing how they feel unsafe and that the accused Bishop is powerful.
Earlier in April, Kerala Police had 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 the order of nature. The entire charge sheet filed was 2000 pages long. Sources had told that if the charges against Franco Mulakkal is proven, he might get life imprisonment or imprisonment of not less than 10 years.
10:07 IST, October 23rd 2019