October 15, 2018:

Franco Mulakkal, Senior Catholic Priest accused of repeatedly raping a nun, has been granted bail by the Kerala High Court over 3 weeks after his arrested.

Priest had approached the High Court for bail last month after it was rejected by a lower Court. Franco Mulakkal was arrested after 3 days of questioning & amid protests over the Sexual Assault allegations.

Kerala Government had assured the probe by the Special Investigation Team was proceeding in the "right direction" and that justice will be done.

Though the bail comes with certain conditions. He is not allowed to enter Kerala & has been asked to surrender his passport. He also has to report to the Investigating Officer once in 2 weeks till the final Police report is ready.

High Court had dismissed his bail petiton earlier this month, while accepting the prosecution's argument that the accused holds a high position in the society and could try to influence the witnesses in the Case if he was granted bail.

In her complaint in June, the Nun had alleged that she was sexually abused by Franco Mulakkal 13 times between 2014 & 2016 during his visits to a convent in Kottayam.

She said that she has approached the Police as Church Authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman.

The bishop though refuted the charges.

Source: HT

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