No police protection for Sister Lucy: Kerala HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday said police protection against eviction cannot be provided to Sister Lucy Kalappura, who has been expelled from the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC), at the convent where she is presently staying.

It said her life and property can be protected by the police at any other place of residence, but not at the convent.

Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan said the order of police protection granted last year by the high court cannot continue any longer if she intends to continue at the convent.

He said if she continues to stay at the convent, which has made allegations of indiscipline against her, the conflicts with the staff or authorities there will also continue.

The nun, who argued her case in person, told the court that she has challenged the order of eviction against her before a civil court and till that is decided she wishes to continue staying at the convent.

She said the court may withdraw the police protection granted to her, but she should be allowed to stay at the convent as she has no other place to go to. Sister Lucy said while she had the police protection she had confidence to venture out and whenever there was any conflict with the convent authorities, like the kitchen or dining area being closed for her, police came to her aid.

The court, however, said the only plea before it was for police protection and it was willing to grant the same as long as she is not staying at the convent.

The convent, during the brief hearing, alleged that there is a discipline to be followed in a nunnery and the sister was not following the same.