Bishop Franco Mulakkal Acquitted In Kerala Nun Rape Case: Here's A Timeline Of Events

Kerala court has acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case. The bishop was arrested for allegedly raping a nun at her convent several times between 2014 and 2016. The prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, PTI reported.

57-year-old, Bishop Mulakkal was accused of raping the survivor nun multiple times during his visit to the convent. While the incident happened, Mulakkal was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church. The rape case against the Bishop was registered by police in Kottayam district in June 2018.

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Timeline of nun rape case

Here is a brief timeline on how Franco Mulakkal, a Catholic bishop, was arrested for sexually assaulting a nun.

June, 2017: In the first move of the case, the survivor nun wrote to Pala Bishop narrating her ordeal and complaining about Mulakkal. She accused him of raping, trying to intimidate her, her colleagues, and family members. Following this complaint, the survivor wrote to several authorities of the church, but no action was taken.

June 29, 2018: Kuravilangad police register a case on the basis of a complaint filed by a nun against Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar Diocese. According to the complaint the nun was raped several times by the bishop at Missionaries of Jesus convent between 2014 and 2016.

July 1, 2018 - Convenor of the Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (AMT) files complaint with the Inspector General against Cardinal Mar George Alanchery, who failed to inform the police about the nun¡¯s rape charge.

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July 25, 2018 - The nun¡¯s relative in Kochi informed police about being offered a huge bribe to withdraw the complaint. Meanwhile, the Kerala government faces criticism for not arresting Franco.

August 7, 2018 - After massive criticism against the state government, the Kerala High Court sought the government¡¯s response to the plea that demanded arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

August 8, 2018 - A Special Investigation Team reached Jalandhar to interrogate Bishop Franco in the cases, while statements of nuns working at the mission¡¯s office were recorded.

September 11, 2018 - The survivor wrote to the Vatican ambassador to India seeking intervention to ensure justice. On the same day Bishop Franco lashed out at the survivor alleging anti-church people have sponsored her. Promises full cooperation with police investigation.

September 12, 2018 - Missionaries of Jesus announced a probe against agitating nuns pressing for the arrest of Bishop Franco. Six nuns to be covered in the inquiry including the rape survivor.

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September 20, 2018 - Pope Francis relieved Franco Mulakkal of his pastoral duties.

September 21, 2018 - Franco Mulakkal was arrested from the Tripunithura Crime Branch Police Station after a three-day interrogation.

October 15, 2018 - Mulakkal was granted bail by the Kerala High Court and he was directed not to leave the country.

April 9, 2019 - Chargesheet running into 2,000 pages submitted by investigating officer before a magistrate court in Pala.

January 20, 2020 - Franco files plea for discharge in case without a trial, claiming that he has been ¡®falsely implicated¡¯ by the nun for having initiated action against her on allegations by her cousin sister.

March 16, 2020 - Franco¡¯s discharge petition dismissed by Additional Sessions.

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July 13, 2020 - Additional District and Sessions Court cancels Franco¡¯s bail and issues arrest warrant as the former Bishop failed to appear before court.

July 25, 2020 - Franco moves Supreme Court seeking discharge.

August 7, 2020 - Franco Mulakkal granted bail for the second time by the Kottayam Additional District and Sessions Court.

November 6, 2020 - Supreme Court dismisses Franco¡¯s plea seeking review of its earlier order rejecting his discharge petition.

January 10, 2022 - Trial concludes.

January 14, 2022 - Bishop Franco acquitted of all charges by Kottayam district court.

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