Kerala nuns took to the streets in Kochi on saturday they protested the delay in action against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal who is accused of sexually exploiting a nun.
The Bishop has been accused by a nun from Kerala of raping her on multiple occasions between 2014 and 2016.
He has also been accused by at least three other nuns who claim that he took advantage of his position within the diocese and approached them with malicious intentions.
After nuns of the Kuravilangad convent staged a protest yesterday demanding the Bishop’s immediate arrest, another protest was observed by members of the Joint Christian Council today.
Seeking the arrest of Franco Mulakkal, the members were seen holding placards at the High Court Junction bus station in state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
Despite the formation of a special investigative team (SIT) to probe the charges, nuns who have come forward with the allegations claim that the Bishop is being shielded by the government and the diocese.
The 44-year-old nun, who had accused Mulakkal of raping her, even said that she fears for her life after she was asked to withdraw the case against the Bishop.
A storm erupted in connection with the case today when an independent MLA PC George held a press conference where he called the nun who has accused the Bishop, a ‘prostitute’.
His remarks invited sharp criticism from all spheres of the society including National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma who demanded action against the legislator.
Responding to allegations of delay in the Bishop’s arrest, Kerala DGP Lokanath Behra said that he has directed the Inspector General of police to initiate a thorough inquiry into the allegations.
He went further to say that the decision to transfer the case to the Crime Branch has not been taken yet.
Media reports earlier this week suggested that the SIT plans to issue summons to the Bishop who is currently in Jalandhar in connection with the allegations
But no action taken place as expected by the nuns fraternity so protests against the delay in the arrest of Bishop of Jalandhar, Franco Mulakkal continued for the second day
