Kerala Nun Rape Case: Franco Mulakkal arrested after 3 days of questioning

Kochi, Sep 21: Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of rape and unnatural sex by a nun, has been arrested after three-day of questioning arrested on Friday. If arrested, Mulakkal becomes the first Indian Catholic bishop to be arrested in a case of sexual abuse against a nun.

The team, which is investigating the case, had been questioning Mulakkal at a high-tech facility at Thripunithura Women's Police cell for the last three days.

The bishop had filed for an anticipatory bail in the high court on Tuesday, claiming that all charges against him were a "cooked-up story to wreak vengeance". The HC had adjourned the hearing of the application for September 25 when it will hear the police version

Also, the police recorded a fresh statement of the nun who has accused him of rape. They also sought clarifications on some evidence.

The nun has accused the senior Catholic priest of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016, allegations denied by the clergyman who has pleaded innocence.

Meanwhile, the protest by various Catholic reform organisations and a group of nuns seeking Mulakkal's arrest entered its 13th day on Thursday. The agitation at Kochi's Vanchi Square is a spontaneous expression of outrage by these groups over the alleged assault of the nun.

A protesting nun said they were all waiting for the news of the arrest of the bishop so a strong message goes out to those who abuse women.