Victim-nun, State file appeals in Kerala HC against bishop’s acquittal in rape case
PTI, Mar 30, 2022, 8:02 PM IST
The nun, who claims to have been raped by Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, and the State government have moved the Kerala High Court against his acquittal in the case by a trial court.
While the victim-nun moved the appeal earlier this week, the prosecution moved the High Court on Wednesday challenging the bishop’s acquittal after getting sanction for the same from the government during the day.
In its appeal, filed through Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan, against the trial court’s January 14, 2022 decision, the prosecution contended that the sessions judge, without appreciating the evidence in the correct perspective, ”misconstrued facts and law and gave unwarranted acquittal to the accused” and set him free.
Seeking setting aside of the sessions court’s decision, the prosecution has also claimed that the lower court’s judgement was ”patently wrong, manifestly erroneous and totally perverse”.
On January 14, the Additional District and Sessions Court I, Kottayam, acquitted the Bishop by saying the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused.
Mulakkal, 57, was accused of raping the nun multiple times during his visit to a convent in this district between 2014 and 2016 when he was the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church. The survivor is a member of the Missionaries of Jesus, a diocesan congregation under the Jalandhar Diocese.
In her complaint to the police in June 2018, the nun alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by Franco Mulakkal between 2014 and 2016.
The Special Investigation Team, which probed into the case, arrested the bishop in September 2018 and charged him with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation.
Trial in the case, which started in November 2019, concluded on January 10. The court had restrained the print and electronic media from publishing any matter relating to the trial in the case without its permission.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Rahul Gandhi to attend caste census meeting in Hyderabad today
FIR against Sanjay Raut’s brother for remarks against Shiv Sena’s woman leader
In-flight passengers can access WiFi services only when allowed, say new rules
Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court
Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
MRPL offers Rs 1 cr to buy advanced TB testing machines
Salman Khan gets another threat, asked to cough up Rs 5 cr
Mangaluru: Vishwa Konkani Samaroh to be held on Nov 5 and 6
Canadian cop suspended for attending pro-Khalistan protest outside Hindu temple
Rahul Gandhi to attend caste census meeting in Hyderabad today
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.