Proceedings likely as deadline passes

The police team probing the rape charges against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal may soon initiate proceedings against him for failing to produce his laptop for verification.

Officials said the bishop’s PRO Father Peter Kavumpuram, in response to a notice issued by the investigation team, had expressed his inability to produce the gadget by November 5 – the deadline set by the police. “Fr. Kavumpuram has handed us a note stating that he was unable to identify the particular laptop as all devices in his office were upgraded recently. The claim needs to be verified and, if established, the circumstances leading to the upgrading process will also be examined to the last detail,” said K. Subash, Deputy Superintendent of Police and the chief investigation officer. In case the investigation into the claim points to attempts to mislead the rape probe, a fresh case for destruction of evidence will be booked against the bishop and his PRO. “And if they are found to have received help from outside, more persons will be arraigned as accused,” the official added.

On October 27, the police had issued a notice demanding the bishop’s laptop, when the latter had appeared before the investigation officer as per a bail condition set by the High Court.

Reason for demand

The police said verification of the laptop was crucial in establishing whether the bishop had issued a letter ordering an internal probe against the survivor nun. The bishop had said that the nun levelled rape charges against him in retaliation to his inquiry order against her. By examining the laptop, the team also hopes to find whether an internal inquiry was ordered after the police complaint was filed against the bishop.