A group of nuns, led by Sister Anupama, had fought on behalf of the victim nun who had accused Mulakkal of raping her multiple times.
A day after the resignation of bishop Franco Mulakkal as Jalandhar bishop, 'Save Our Sisters' campaigners on Friday said the survivor nun who had levelled rape charges against him would continue her fight for justice through the legal system.
'Mob fury has become very common these days. And these attacks are all planned very well.' 'In all these attacks, you see that they have a very clear cut plan to make the victims as the oppressors and the guilty.' 'The attackers escape and they face no consequences as they have the backing of some political leaders.'
Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was temporarily relieved of his pastoral responsibilities by Pope Francis in 2018 following allegations of rape by a nun, has resigned from the Jalandhar Bishop's post, a church source said on Thursday.
Former Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was acquitted by a local court in Kerala last year over rape charges by a nun, met Pope Francis in Vatican last week, a church source said in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
Detailing the charges of rape against the Bishop, the SOS claimed the rape case remains proved absolutely and the "abduction and attempt to murder case" of the accused Bishop stands dismissed being totally false."
Claiming innocence, the bishop also said the complaint was "nothing but a fictional story" by the nun
Granting bail, the court directed him not to leave the state till the chargesheet is read out to him on August 13 and to be present court on the dates of hearing of the case.
Roman Catholic bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 after being accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016.
Slamming the public outcry over the alleged delay in action against Jalandhar Bishop, Auxilary Bishop of Changanassery Archdiocese, Thomas Tharayil sought to know whether declaring a person guilty without an investigation and trial was also a new Kerala model.
She alleged that by continuing in the position of Jalandhar diocese Bishop, Franco Mulakkal and his close associates "are using the wealth of the diocese to divert" the course of the police investigation.
As the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, the Additional District and Sessions Court II acquitted the Bishop.
The nun had recently sought urgent intervention of the Vatican for justice and demanded the bishop's removal as the head of the Jalandhar diocese.
Even as the victim-nun moved the high court to set aside the acquittal, the state government on Wednesday granted sanction for filing an appeal against the trial court's January 14, 2022 decision.
The court cancelled his bail, considering the prosecution argument that the accused was trying to delay the trial, and posted the case to August 13.
Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun several times between 2014 and 2016, is currently out on bail.
The SOS alleged that the police failed to act in the sexual harassment charges levelled against the former Jalandhar diocese Bishop by the nun, who is also a key witness in the 'nun rape case'.
The Bishop's move came ahead of his appearance before the Kerala Police team on September 19 in connection with the case.
Bishop Mulakkal, a senior member of the Roman Catholic clergy in India, was arrested last year following allegations by the nun that he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her at the Kuravilangad convent between 2014 and 2016, a charge denied by him.
The Pope appointed Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Bombay Agnelo Rufino Gracias as the Apostolic administrator of the diocese of Jalandhar with immediate effect, a CBCI statement said.
The nun had accused the clergyman of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.
A group of nuns of Kuravilangad convent in Kottayam district of Kerala, who have been standing with the survivor in her fight, were on the verge of tears when they said they were yet to believe such a verdict came out from the court and they did not know what has happened.
The nun alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse 13 times.
The Bishop will have to surrender his passport and his entry to Kerala will be restricted.
They alleged that the police probing the case was trying to sabotage the investigation.
"The first phase of interrogation is over. He has been asked to be present tomorrow morning at 11 am for continued interrogation. He has agreed to it," Kottayam Superintendent of police Hari Sankar said after the marathon questioning of the priest.
The 54-year old Mulakkal was arrested by Kerala police after intense interrogation in Kochi over the last three days.
Police have initiated action against independent MLA P C George who had levelled derogatory charges against the victimised nun.
'The problem is not lack of evidence, but the unholy alliance between political parties and church authorities.' 'If you are raising a voice against the priest, you and your family will suffer.'
The Jalandhar bishop of the Roman Catholic church was grilled by the SIT for 7 hours on Wednesday.
In a press release, the congregation accused the victim, her five fellow nuns and four others of conspiring against the bishop.
The Additional Sessions Court Judge read out to Mulakkal, who was present in the court, the charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including the punishment for offence for rape as it commenced trial proceedings in the sensational case.
Nuns doubt Bishop Franco still wields power in the diocese.
The protest led by the nuns and Catholic reformist forums in Kochi in September had led to a public outrage and demands for action against the bishop.
According to police, no visible injury marks were found on the body of the priest.
The nuns -- Alphy, Anupama, Josephine and Ancitta -- were served notice by the superior general of the congregation, Regina Kadamthottu, urging them to take up their assigned responsibilities as befitting members of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation.
The bench observed that if a hasty investigation was conducted, the accused would be allowed to go scot-free.
'The Centre and state need to take a unified approach and take concerted action before this matter assumes menacing proportions because unemployment, the drug trade and the levels of frustration among the youth make them vulnerable to any maverick who promises something better.'
Archbishop Anil Couto's instructions, though politically charged, are not unusual or unprecedented.
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