Home News Court in India acquits Catholic bishop in rape case filed by nun

Court in India acquits Catholic bishop in rape case filed by nun

The victim alleged that the bishop had subjected her to sexual abuse at least 13 times between 2014 and 2016

A court in India’s Kerala state acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar in rape case filed by a nun.

In a decision released on Friday, January 14, Judge G Gopakumar of the Additional Sessions District Court said the bishop has been let free for want of evidence.

“Praise the Lord,” said Bishop Mulakkal as he left the courtroom following the announcement of the verdict after 105 days of trial.



The rape case was registered by the police in Kottayam district on June 27, 2018. The bishop was then arrested on Sept. 21, 2018, and sent to jail in Palai in Kottayam. He was released on bail on Oct. 15, 2018.

The victim, the former superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, alleged that the bishop had subjected her to sexual abuse at least 13 times between 2014 and 2016.

A day before his arrest, the Vatican accepted Bishop Mulakkal’s request to relieve him from his duties until the case is over.

The Special Investigation Team, which probed the case, arrested the bishop and charged him with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex, and criminal intimidation.

- Newsletter -

The charge sheet named 84 witnesses, including Cardinal George Alencherry, the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, but only 39 witnesses, including the cardinal and two bishops, were called and heard in the court.

© Copyright LiCAS.news. All rights reserved. Republication of this article without express permission from LiCAS.news is strictly prohibited. For republication rights, please contact us at: [email protected]

Support Our Mission

We work tirelessly each day to tell the stories of those living on the fringe of society in Asia and how the Church in all its forms - be it lay, religious or priests - carries out its mission to support those in need, the neglected and the voiceless.
We need your help to continue our work each day. Make a difference and donate today.

Latest