Kerala court puts aside bishop’s bail plea

Prosecution says Mulakkal could influence those supporting the victim

The Kerala High Court yesterday postponed hearing on the bail application by rape-accused bishop of Jalandhar, Franco Mulakkal.

The court decided to take up the bail appeal again next Wednesday.

The court decision means the bishop has to continue staying at the sub-jail in Pala in Kottayam district, where he is interred.

Mulakkal is accused of raping a nun attached to a convent in Kuravilangad in Kottayam district 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Mulakkal denies the allegation.

Yesterday, lawyers for the accused bishop presented video evidence to the court, showing the bishop with the alleged victim during a social event, in an effort to prove that the bishop and the nun were on cordial terms even after the period during which the alleged crime was committed. The defendant’s contention is that there is no truth behind the allegation against him.

The prosecution, however, argued that the bishop ought not to be given bail, considering that he was in an influential position and could influence those supporting the victim if he is released on bail.

Police also said that giving bail to him at this juncture was inappropriate because the investigating team had yet to take statements from five nuns in the convent, and also had to go to Jalandhar to gather information regarding the case.