Bishop Franco Mulakkal
Thiruvananthapuram: The government has granted permission to appeal against the trial court verdict that acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case. The order was issued by the state home department.
It is reported that the home department took the decision after receiving legal advice from the Advocate General. The police had earlier submitted a letter to the government requesting to move an appeal against the trial court’s verdict. The government sought AG’s legal advice after considering this. AG clarified that the case has scope for moving appeal following which the home department issued the order.
The district Additional Sessions Court acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case on January 14, 2022. The verdict came after 105 days of trial and Franco was acquitted of all 7 charges as the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused.
Police charged Mulakkal with rape, illegal confinement and intimidation of the nun. She said she went to the police only after complaining repeatedly to church authorities. Eventually, a group of fellow nuns launched unprecedented public protests to demand Mulakkal’s arrest in 2018. He was detained but released on bail after a few weeks.
(with inputs from AP)
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