Nun rape case: Bishop may be summoned for questioning this week

KOCHI/KOTTAYAM: A Roman Catholic bishop facing rape charges by a nun is likely to be summoned for questioning this week, police probing the case said, amid protests over delay in taking action against him.

Police said there were a “lot of contradictions” in the statements given by the nun, witnesses and accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese and that a decision on further action would be taken after clearing all the doubts.

“The Bishop may be summoned to Kerala for interrogation”, a senior police officer said.

The notice to the Bishop, urging him to appear before the probe team, was likely to be issued this week itself, police said. The officer, who did not wish to be named, rejected the charges levelled by protesters seeking justice for the nun that police was helping the accused Bishop.

“A free and fair probe is on in the case,” he said.

Meanwhile, reports from Kottayam said police have initiated action against independent MLA P C George who had levelled derogatory charges against the victimised nun.

The Kottayam District Police chief directed the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take the statement of the nun in connection with George’s charges against her.

George, however, continued his allegations against the victim and her five fellow nuns, who staged a public protest in Kochi, seeking justice in the case.

Talking to reporters at his residence in Poonjar, George said he had certain doubts on the real victim in the case.

“Who is the real victim? The nun or the Bishop? he asked.

Responding to questions on the action initiated against him by the National Commission for Women for allegedly using abusive language against the nun, George hit out at the women’s rights’ body, asking whether they would chop off his nose.

He urged the protesting nuns to file a petition in the High Court instead of staging a public agitation in the case.