New Delhi: The rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Archdiocese of Jaladhar has petitioned the Supreme Court for a discharge plea. In the plea in the Apex Court filed he has also requested for stay of trial proceedings in the case until SC pronounces its verdict.
Bishop Franco Mulakkal has claimed that the accusations against him are false and malicious, therefore he seeks a discharge over the cases filed against him on the accusation of raping a 44-year old Nun.
The Trial Court of Kottayam two weeks ago issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the senior clergyman accused of raping and sodomising the nun 13-times. Even the Kerala High Court refused to stay the Trial Court proceedings against Bishop Franco Mulakkal.
Bishop Franco Mulakkal is the first Bishop in India to be arrested on accusation of rape. He was then released on bail. His bail stands cancelled now but he has not been arrested by the Kerala Police yet due to his false claim of being infected by COVID-19, which was even submitted in the Trial Court.
The Catholic Church of India continues to maintain stoic silence on the case while clandestinely support the rape accused clergyman.
