A Kerala court on Friday acquitted Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal of raping a nun in a convent. The prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused. PTI Reported. Seventy-five years old, Bishop Mulakkal was accused of raping the surviving nun several times during a visit to a convent. When this incident happened, Mulakkal was the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic Church. The police had registered a case of rape against Bishop in Kottayam district in June 2018.
Here is a timeline of the case:
2017, June – In the first trial of the case, the surviving nun narrates her ordeal to Pala Bishop and complains about Mulakkal. He accused her of rape, tried to intimidate her, her associates and family members. Following this complaint, the survivor wrote to several church officials, but no action was taken.
2018, June 17- After church officials, the nun filed a complaint with the Kottayam district police chief, alleging that Mulakkal raped her several times between 2014 and 2016.
2018, June 28, – FIR registered on the basis of complaint, IPC sections 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 376(2)(k), 376(2)(n) (not less than rigorous imprisonment) of IPC charged under. Above 10 years), 376C(a) (sexual intercourse by a superintendent of remand home, etc.), 377 (unnatural offence) and 506(ii) (criminal intimidation).
2018, July 5 – Survivor nun records her statement on camera.
2018, July 7- National Commission for Women (NCW) demanded an early inquiry into the matter.
2018, August 7 – Following heavy criticism against the state government, the Kerala High Court seeks the government’s response on a plea seeking the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal.
2018, August 8 – A special investigation team arrives in Jalandhar to question Bishop Franco in the cases, while the statements of the nuns working in the mission’s office are recorded.
2018, September 11 – Victim writes to the Vatican’s ambassador to India, seeking her intervention to ensure justice. On the same day, Bishop Franco accused the victim of being sponsored by anti-church people. Promise to cooperate fully in police investigation
2018, 12 September – The Missionaries of Jesus announces an investigation into the nuns agitating for the arrest of Bishop Franco. Six nuns, including the rape victim, will be included in the investigation.
2018, September 20 – Pope Francis relieves Franco Mulakkal from his pastoral duties.
2018, September 21 – Franco Mulakkal is arrested from Tripunithura Crime Branch police station after three days of interrogation.
2018, October 15 – Mulakkal is granted bail by the Kerala High Court and he is directed not to leave the country.
2019, April 9- A 2000-page chargesheet in this case was submitted by the Inquiry Officer.
2020, January 20 – Mulakkal files a discharge petition without trial, claiming that he has been ‘falsely implicated’ by the nun to initiate proceedings against her on the allegations of her cousin.
2020, March 16 – Franco’s discharge petition is dismissed by additional sessions.
2020, July 13 – The Additional District and Sessions Court cancels Franco’s bail and issues an arrest warrant because the former bishop failed to appear before the court.
2020, July 25 – Franco moves the Supreme Court seeking discharge.
2020, August 7- Kottayam Additional District and Sessions Court granted bail to Mulakkal for the second time.
2020, November 6 – The Supreme Court dismisses Franco’s plea seeking a review of its earlier order dismissing his discharge petition.
2022, January 10 – Testing completed. The court had restrained the print and electronic media from publishing any matter relating to the trial in this case without its permission.
2022, January 14 – A Kerala court acquits Mulakkal in the case.
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