Author: Savio Rodrigues
Publication: Goa Chronicle
Date:  July 13, 2020
URL:      https://goachronicle.com/kerala-trial-court-issues-non-bailable-warrant-against-bishop-franco-mulakkal/

A Trial Court in Kottayam, Kerala has issued a non-bailable warrant against Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the case of raping and sodomising a 44-year old nun.

The Trial Court had warned the senior clergy member of arrest and cancellation of bail for failing to appear for Court hearings 13-times on July 1, 2020 and set a final date of appearance before court for July 13, 2020. However, Bishop Franco Mulakkal failed to appear for the hearing yet again today.

Bishop Franco’s lawyers told the Court that the Archdiocese of Jalandhar comes under containment zone restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic and the government authorities had not granted permission for Bishop Franco to travel out of Jalandhar.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal is the first Bishop in India to be accused of raping and sodomising a 44-year old nun 13-times. He was arrested last year but realised on bail. Post today’s Trial Court’s decision, his bail stands cancelled and the Court has imposed heavy fines on the senior clergy members and the two sureties who stood by him.

So far the Catholic Church in India keeps a stoic silence over the case and offers tacit support to the accused rapist Bishop Franco Mulakkal.