Bishop granted bail, told to leave Kerala

Kochi/Kottayam, October 15

The Kerala High Court today 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.

Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan directed the accused to leave Kerala and surrender his passport. He has also been directed to appear before the probe officer once in two weeks on Saturdays.

This condition would be applicable till a chargesheet is filed in the case.

On October 3, the High Court had dismissed the bail plea of the clergyman while accepting the prosecution argument that the accused would try to influence witnesses in the case.

The 54-year-old Bishop, arrested on September  21 and lodged in a sub-jail at Pala in Kottayam, moved the High Court again after a magistrate court extended his judicial remand. The HC granted him conditional bail considering the fact that the investigation was almost over.

Fellow nuns of the complainant expressed concern over the “speedy bail”. However, welcoming the decision, a Jalandhar diocese spokesperson said: “Thanks to God.”  — PTI