Mulakkal to face rape charges as SC dismisses plea

NEWDELHI:THE Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for deposed Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal to stand trial in a rape case involving a Kerala nun. The court dismissed his plea seeking discharge from the case on a claim that he was being falsely implicated after he initiated disciplinary proceedings against the nun for financial irregularities.

Appearing for Mulakkal, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi sought to convince a bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde that his client was being made a victim for action taken against the nun. The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, was not convinced.

“You don’t have a case, We do not see any merit in your petition,” the bench said, dismissing the plea filed by Mulakkal. Mulakkal, while serving as Bishop of the Jalandhar Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, was accused of raping a 43-year old nun on 13 occasions during his visits to the Kerala convent between 2014 and 2016. He was later removed from the charge of the Jalandar diocese. He had first approached a local court in Kerala praying for his discharge.