The nun’s rape case took yet another turn on Sunday with reports emerging that Father Nichlavos Maniparambil, the Vicar of Kodanad, visited the nuns at the Kuravilangadu convent along with a murder case accused. From the footage on social media, the person accompanying the priest was identified as Saji Paul, an accused in the murder of a Karshaka Congress leader in Angamaly.

The visit on Saturday had already kicked off a row with the nuns alleging that the priest had attempted to influence them. The nuns had taken part in a street protest in Kochi seeking the arrest of bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun.

Father Maniparambil told reporters that he did not know about Saji’s involvment in criminal cases. Saji Paul is a parishioner of Munnoorpally where Father Maniparambil had served two years ago. Father Maniparambil had at first supported the nunsbut later changed his stance.