Kottayam/Kochi: Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal will face police grilling on Wednesday in connection with the rape charges raised by a nun of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation. He will appear before investigation officer Vaikom DySP K. Subhash at 10 a.m. and the interrogation may take place at the Kottayam police club, Vaikom DySP office or the hi-tech interrogation room at the Ettumanoor police station.
He will be questioned first by Mr Subhash and other members of the investigation team and later by district police chief S. Harisankar and Kochi range IG Vijay Sakhare. There is no official word about his possible arrest. Sources said there were several contradictions in the statements given by the bishop to the police.
The police summoned the bishop in the wake of the strike launched by five nuns of the MJ congregation in Kochi and the mounting public demand for his arrest.
The bishop issued a circular on September 13 in Jalandhar diocese handing over charge to Father Mathew Kokandam. He also reportedly wrote a letter to Pope Francis seeking his permission to step down temporarily from his administrative responsibilities. The letter was handed over to the Apostolic Nuncio of Vatican to India, Giambattista Diqquatro, on September 16.
As per the nun's complaint, the bishop molested her 13 times over two years from May 5, 2014. The Kuravilangadu police had registered an FIR against the bishop on June 28.
She alleged that she had complained on several occasions against the bishop to the head of her congregation and to the Church leadership, including Cardinal George Alenchery.
Bishop unlikely to be arrested
The investigation team probing the case against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal is unlikely to arrest him on Wednesday on the grounds that the high court is scheduled to consider his petition for anticipatory bail on September 25.
Although the court has not barred the arrest of the bishop legal experts pointed out that police is unlikely to arrest an accused while his anticipatory bail plea is pending before the high court.
There is no technical bar on arresting a person while anticipatory bail plea is pending before the high court, said Advocate K.S. Madhusoodanan. Reposing full faith in the judiciary, Sr. Anupma, one of the nuns taking part in the protest for the past 11 days, however expressed apprehensions that the delay in arresting the bishop may help destroying evidences in connection with the case.
The Save our Sister's Action Council (SoS Action Council) spearheading an agitation at the high court junction for the past 10 days in solidarity with the protest by nuns however decided to intensify the protest for the arrest of the bishop
A protest march was held by the people assembled at the venue on Tuesday evening demanding the arrest of the bishop.
RSP leader Shibu Baby John and AA Azeez visited the protest venue and declared solidarity with the demand for arresting Bishop Franco.
The agitation on the 11th day at the high court junction has received a morale boost with solidarity actions in support of the demand taking place at different parts in the state.
A solidarity meeting was held at Mulanthuruthy on Tuesday while torchlight processions were held at across the state demanding the arrest of the accused bishop.
The Bishop Franco is expected to reach before the probe team at 10 in the morning and the questioning is expected to be led by Vaikom DySP KK Subhash, the investigation official of the case.
Meanwhile, actor Joy Mathew will inaugurate a protest march to the IG office, Ernakulam, at 11 am on Wednesday demanding the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal
