SIT says bail for bishop will not affect investigation

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged rape of a nun belonging to the Jalandhar-based Missionaries of Jesus congregation is planning to file the chargesheet against the accused Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal by this month-end. However, this will be dependant on the appointment of special public prosecutor, for which the SIT has already approached the State government, which will now have to issue relevant orders authorising the appointment.

“The chargesheet will be filed once the appointment is made and the special public prosecutor has enough time to study the case,” Hari Sanker, Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, told The Hindu.

He said the release of the bishop on Tuesday following the bail granted by the Kerala High Court is unlikely to affect the progress of the investigation.

As much as 80% of the investigation is over and interrogation of most of the crucial and vulnerable witnesses, including nuns and inmates of the convent where the survivor stays, is already over and only a couple of witnesses remain.

The investigation of two other cases on charges of attempt to influence the witnesses and publishing the photograph of the victim is being carried out by the Crime Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, and a priest had also been arrested in this connection.

The bishop was arrested on the night of September 21. He was charged with Indian Penal Code Sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 376 (2k) (rape on a woman incapable of giving consent), 376 (2n) (causing grievous bodily harm during rape) 377 (unnatural offence), 506 (1) (criminal intimidation).

Bishop released

Meanwhile, the bishop was released from the Pala sub-jail on Tuesday around 2 p.m. after completing the requisite formalities.

A large gathering comprising believers and onlookers thronged the jail as he was released amidst tight security. He reportedly left for his home at Thrissur and was likely to leave for Jalandhar later in the day.