Kerala: Nun to go-ahead with legal-action against bishop for sexual-assault
A nun, who has accused a Roman Catholic bishop in Kerala of sexually assaulting her, said on Saturday that she would go ahead with legal action against the top priest. The nun told reporters in Kottayam district of Kerala state that she would go ahead with legal action against the bishop, but declined to speak further on the matter.
Nun alleges she was sexually abused 13 times by priest
In her complaint, the nun has alleged that the bishop of Jalandhar diocese of Roman Catholic Church had sexually abused her multiple times at a small town near Kottayam four years ago. She alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse 13 times. She was abused for the first time in 2014 at a guest-house near an orphanage in Kuravilangad region in the district.
Church authorities took no action after nun complained
The nun claimed that she had then complained to the church authorities about the abuse, but no action was taken. The victim said the unfavorable approach of the Church authorities towards her grievances forced her to lodge a police complaint in the matter.
Priest lodged complaint against nun's relatives threatening bishop
The bishop's supporters have rejected the charges. They said the nun filed the police complaint after a Jalandhar diocese priest lodged a police complaint against her relatives on the charges of threatening the bishop. In his complaint, the priest alleged the nun's relatives threatened to kill the bishop after he ordered a probe against her on the basis of a complaint by someone's wife.
Police have launched investigation based on both complaints
Based on the police complaints of the nun and the priest, the police have launched an investigation. A Deputy Superintendent of Police ranking official is probing the case, police said. The priest is a Keralite and has been serving as bishop of Jalandhar diocese since 2013. There was no immediate reaction from the Church authorities on the allegations.
