Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of rape of a nun, climbed hierarchy in the church very fast. Right from beginning, there were complaints about his ‘moral side’ and was sent to Rome for higher studies, where he took doctorate in ‘Moral Theology’. He is connoisseur of wines and likes his Scotch Whiskey. Police sources said he likes Italian food and a heavy drinker. He is reported to have connections with ‘underworld’ elements. Even the CPI(M) in Kerala defended him to the hilt. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan termed the nurses’ agitation demanding Franco’s arrest as ‘RSS-BJP’ sponsored.

Franco was accorded VIP treatment by the police in the custody initially. However, following media outrage, the police have decided no special treatment would be given to him.

Meanwhile, Bishop Franco Mulakkal has been remanded to 12-day judicial custody in connection with the infamous Kerala nun rape case. He was remanded by Pala magistrate court when produced on September 24 morning after the completion of the two day police custody ruled by the same court on September 22.

Franco was immediately taken to the Pala sub jail after medical examination at a government hospital in the town. On Sunday, police took Franco to the St. Francis Mission Home, Kuruvilangadu, where the alleged rape of the nun had taken place at the hands of him. Police report submitted before the court said, the nun was raped and subjected to unnatural sex 13 times by him at the Guest House of the Mission Home between 2014 and 2016.