Kochi/Kottayam: The Kerala High Court Monday granted conditional bail to Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, three weeks after he was arrested over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a nun. Granting the bail, Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan directed the accused to leave Kerala and surrender his passport.
However, he has been directed to appear before the probe officer once in two weeks on Saturdays. This condition would be applicable till a charge sheet is filed in the case.
Earlier on October 3, the high court had dismissed the bail plea of the clergyman while accepting the prosecution argument that the accused, holding a high position in the society, would try to influence witnesses in the case, if given bail.
The 54-year-old bishop, currently lodged in a sub-jail in Pala in Kottayam district, moved the high court again after a magistrate court extended his judicial remand. Police opposed the bail application of Mulakkal, saying investigation was still on in the case.
The court, however, granted him conditional bail considering the fact that investigation in the case was almost over. Fellow nuns of the victimised nun, who had staged public protest in Kochi seeking the bishop’s arrest, expressed concern over the “speedy bail” of the accused, saying the Bishop is powerful man who can influence the witnesses in the case even if he stays outside the state. They said there was a security threat for them and there was no guarantee that they would be alive tomorrow. Welcoming the decision, a Jalandhar diocese spokesperson said, “Thanks to the God.”
Without elaborating, he said the case was under the consideration of the court and “let the court decide”. (PTI)
