Nun rape case: probe team to record priest's statement

A police investigation team is set to record the statement of Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, who is reported to have sexually abused a nun in Kottayam four years ago.

K Subash, DySP – Vaikom, told reporters after recording the statement of the complainant in Kottayam, on Sunday, that the police team would travel to Jalandhar soon in this connection.

In a complaint filed with Kuravilangad Police, the nun said she was sexually exploited by the Bishop 13 times at a guest house, since 2014.

The nun had approached Kottayam District Police Chief Hari Sankar with the complaint.

The 54-year-old Bishop who denied the charges had also moved a petition to the DPC, ahead of the nun’s complaint, that he was being intimidated by her relatives seeking reversal of a disciplinary action initiated against her.

The nun had earlier approached Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, head of the Syro Malabar Church, but the Church is reported to have failed to act on the complaint.

The DySP confirmed to reporters that the Church received a complaint in connection with the reported abuse.

The police team recorded the complainant’s statement, in a five-hour-long session, at a convent in Kuravilangad.

Other cases

Investigation in another case of reported sexual abuse, involving priests in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, is progressing, reports DHNS.

A police Crime Branch team is probing allegations that a married woman was sexually exploited by five priests attached to the Kottayam-headquartered church.

The complainant is the woman’s husband, a member of the Niranam diocese in Pathanamthitta district. The woman is reported to have confessed before a priest about a pre-marital relationship she had with another priest.

According to the complainant, the confession was used by the priest and the others to intimidate and sexually exploit her. On Sunday, State Police Chief Loknath Behera said the nature of the charges was “serious”.