Kerala: Rape-accused Franco Mulakkal's judicial-custody extended till October 6
Former Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the prime accused in Kerala nun rape case, has been sent to judicial custody till October 6, News18 reported. He will be lodged at Pala sub-jail. Mulakkal, the former Bishop of Jalandhar diocese, was arrested on September 21, and a day later his bail plea was denied. He was sent to judicial custody till September 24. Here's more.
After arrest, Mulakkal complained of chest-pain, but was fine
Soon after he was arrested, last week, Mulakkal complained of chest pain and was rushed to Medical College Hospital in Ettumanoor. A team of doctors performed cardiac-related tests and ECG on him, the results of which were positive. After a few hours at the hospital, he was released and taken to court where his bail plea was rejected.
After interrogation which lasted three days, Mulakkal was arrested
Mulakkal was interrogated for three days, and arrested only after the SIT had substantial proof against him. He claimed he was innocent, but circumstantial evidence proved otherwise. Mulakkal also said on the day of rape he didn't visit the said convent, but police found his driver drove him to the place. Diary of another convent, where he claimed he was, also showed his absence.
Backstory: Let down by Church, nun had approached cops
The nun was raped multiple times in two years and this was corroborated in the chargesheet police submitted to Kerala High Court. She claimed she went to the cops, only after the church didn't take any action. Amid all this, the victim's brother alleged Mulakkal's relatives attempted to bribe him and offered Rs. 5 crore for withdrawing the complaint. However, Mulakkal has denied all charges.
Amid victim shaming, nun got support from her colleagues
This case also blew the lid off misogyny existing in the society, with MLA PC George likening the victim to a prostitute and asking why she didn't report earlier. But the victim got support from her colleagues who have been protesting outside Kerala HC demanding the arrest of Mulakkal. The nuns maintained they couldn't be pacified by anyone and they wanted justice for the victim.
Notably, a protesting nun has been barred from performing activities
While this case has united many, the treatment meted to one of the nuns shows there is still a long way to go. Sister Lucy, one of the five protesting nuns, was kept away from holding catechism classes, conducting prayers, and other church-related duties. However, Mananthavady diocese claimed the disciplinary action was initiated against Sister Lucy three months ago for her conduct.
