Nun rape case: Kerala HC admits survivor's appeal, sends notice to Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Earlier on January 14 this year, the Additional District and Sessions Court, Kottayam had acquitted Franco Mulakkal, former head of the Latin Catholic diocese of Jalandhar, from the rape case.

Kochi (Kerala): The nun`s rape case took a new twist as Kerala High Court admitted an appeal filed by the state government and the survivor nun seeking to quash the order acquitting Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

A division bench of the High Court comprising Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice C. Jayachandran also issued notice to Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

Earlier on January 14 this year, the Additional District and Sessions Court, Kottayam had acquitted Franco Mulakkal, former head of the Latin Catholic diocese of Jalandhar, from the rape case.

A nun had filed the complaint on June 27, 2018, alleging that she was raped 13 times by Mulakkal between 2014 and 2016 when he was a bishop in the Missionaries of Jesus, Jalandhar diocese.

After the complaint, Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 on charges under 7 IPC sections including rape. The trial in the case began in November 2019.