An Indian court in the state of Kerala acquitted Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the charges of raping a nun in a convent on Friday, citing lack of evidence.

The Additional District and Sessions Court II acquitted the accused as the prosecution had failed to produce substantial evidence in the case. &nbsp;

In the case, 57-year-old Mulakkal was accused of raping the nun several times during the visit to a convent in the southern state. &nbsp;

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The alleged incident happened when he was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church. &nbsp;

In June 2018, a rape case was registered by police against the Bishop in Kottayam district after much furore. &nbsp;

In the complaint to the police, the nun alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by Mulakkal from 2014 to 2016. &nbsp;

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The Bishop was arrested in September 2018 by the Special Investigation Team, which probed the case. He was charged with rape, unnatural sex, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation. &nbsp;

In November 2019, the trial had started in the case. It got concluded on January 10. &nbsp;

The print and electronic media were also restrained from publishing any matter relating to the trial by the court without its permission. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

An Indian court in the state of Kerala acquitted Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the charges of raping a nun in a convent on Friday, citing lack of evidence.

An Indian court in the state of Kerala acquitted Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the charges of raping a nun in a convent on Friday, citing lack of evidence. The Additional District and Sessions Court II acquitted the accused as the prosecution had failed to produce substantial evidence in the case. In the case, 57-year-old Mulakkal was accused of raping the nun several times during the visit to a convent in the southern state. Also Read: Philippines to buy India's BrahMos missile The alleged incident happened when he was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church. In June 2018, a rape case was registered by police against the Bishop in Kottayam district after much furore. In the complaint to the police, the nun alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by Mulakkal from 2014 to 2016. Also Read: India reports over 6% increase in COVID-19 cases; 315 deaths in 24 hours The Bishop was arrested in September 2018 by the Special Investigation Team, which probed the case. He was charged with rape, unnatural sex, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation. In November 2019, the trial had started in the case. It got concluded on January 10. The print and electronic media were also restrained from publishing any matter relating to the trial by the court without its permission. (With inputs from agencies)

Lack of evidence forces Indian court to acquit Bishop Franco Mulakkal in nun rape case

The Special investigation team probing allegations against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal will submit the charge sheet at the Court in Kerala's Pala today, in connection with the nun-rape case.

In September, Mulakkal -- head of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab -- was arrested in Tripunithura after three days of questioning in the case where he was accused of repeatedly raping a senior nun between 2014 to 2016.

The nun had alleged that Bishop Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions.

The nun also said she had to approach the police as church authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman.

However, the bishop denied the charges.&nbsp;

Mulakkal is currently out on bail granted by Kerala high court on condition that he will not enter the state except for appearing before the probe officer.

The conditions are applicable until the charge sheet is filed.

Earlier in March, five nuns affiliated with the Missionaries of Jesus convent at Kuruvilangad approached Kottayam Superintendent of police to submit a petition seeking a speedy submission of the charge sheet against Bishop Mulakkal.

In their plea, nuns had questioned the reason behind the delay in filing the charge sheet. They also stated that as they are the witnesses the delay is causing they immense pressure.

The Special investigation team probing allegations against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal will submit the charge sheet at the Court in Kerala's Pala today, in connection with the nun-rape case.

The Special investigation team probing allegations against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal will submit the charge sheet at the Court in Kerala's Pala today, in connection with the nun-rape case. In September, Mulakkal -- head of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab -- was arrested in Tripunithura after three days of questioning in the case where he was accused of repeatedly raping a senior nun between 2014 to 2016. The nun had alleged that Bishop Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions. The nun also said she had to approach the police as church authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman. However, the bishop denied the charges. Mulakkal is currently out on bail granted by Kerala high court on condition that he will not enter the state except for appearing before the probe officer. The conditions are applicable until the charge sheet is filed. Earlier in March, five nuns affiliated with the Missionaries of Jesus convent at Kuruvilangad approached Kottayam Superintendent of police to submit a petition seeking a speedy submission of the charge sheet against Bishop Mulakkal. In their plea, nuns had questioned the reason behind the delay in filing the charge sheet. They also stated that as they are the witnesses the delay is causing they immense pressure.

Kerala nun rape case: Special investigation team to file chargesheet against Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Bishop Franco Mulakkal who was arrested on the charge of raping a nun filed a bail petition in the Kerala High Court on Monday, September 24, 2018.

Mulakkal, who headed the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab, was arrested on Friday in Tripunithura after three days of questioning in the case where he has been accused of repeatedly raping the senior nun between 2014 to 2016.

Mulakkal was produced in court on Saturday, following which he was sent to two-day police custody.

Earlier, the bishop was discharged from the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, where he was admitted on Friday night following complaints of chest pain.

The 54-year-old clergyman had complained of pain in his chest while being taken to Kottayam Police club from the Crime Branch office at Thrippunithura in Ernakulam district on Friday night.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal who was arrested on the charge of raping a nun filed a bail petition in the Kerala High Court on Monday, September 24, 2018. Mulakkal, who headed the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab, was arrested on Friday in Tripunithura after three days of questioning in the case where he has been accused of repeatedly raping the senior nun between 2014 to 2016.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal who was arrested on the charge of raping a nun filed a bail petition in the Kerala High Court on Monday, September 24, 2018. Mulakkal, who headed the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab, was arrested on Friday in Tripunithura after three days of questioning in the case where he has been accused of repeatedly raping the senior nun between 2014 to 2016. Mulakkal was produced in court on Saturday, following which he was sent to two-day police custody. Earlier, the bishop was discharged from the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, where he was admitted on Friday night following complaints of chest pain. The 54-year-old clergyman had complained of pain in his chest while being taken to Kottayam Police club from the Crime Branch office at Thrippunithura in Ernakulam district on Friday night.

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal sent to judicial custody till October 6

A Jacobite priest has been warned of disciplinary action and a Catholic nun restrained from church duties in a fallout of their participation in protests in Kochi demanding the arrest of rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

Sister Lucy Kalapura, who returned to her parish in Wayand Sunday morning from Kochi, claimed she was informed orally by the Mother Superior that she should keep away from holding catechism classes, conducting prayers and other activities related to the Syro Malabar catholic church.

"No written orders were given to me. I was only informed orally by the Mother Superior not to participate in any church-related activities," the sister told PTI.

However, in a statement Father Stephen Kottakkal, vicar of the St Mary's church Karakkamala in Wayanad, said Sister Lucy had been asked to keep away from duties in view of certain concerns expressed by the parishioners.

He denied the church had initiated any retaliatory measure against Sister Lucy for participating in the nuns protest in Kochi.

"The believers had informed us that they had some difficulties in sister Lucy participating in the church activities relating to Holy mass and taking classes for their children," he said.

The vicar said he had only 'conveyed' the general feeling of the parishioners with regard to certain posts of sister Lucy in the social media which they felt were not in consonance with the church beliefs. Many of them had informed him of the same, he said.

The Franciscean Clarist Congregation St Mary's province Mananthavady, to which sister Lucy belongs, said she faced disciplinary action for various other reasons.

However, no explanation had been sought or action taken so far against her in connection with the nun's issue.

Sister Lucy, however, maintained the restraint order against her was only for participating in the protests at Kochi.

The priest, Bar Yuhanon Ramban, belonging to a dayara in Ernakulam district, said Sunday he had received a "warning" letter from his church headquarters in Damascus in Syria for supporting the nuns' protest.

The letter also said he had campaigned for the implementation of Church Act, he told PTI.

According to the letter, his involvement and public speeches supporting the Catholic nuns were seemingly more than the envisaged living style of church priests.

It further said his activities had caused 'disgrace' to the status of Monasticism and warned that disciplinary measures would be taken if he continued with such deeds.

The priest alleged that some local bishops had conspired against him and sent wrong information to the church higher-ups in Syria and based on which they had issued the warning letter.

He has written a letter to the Patriarch of Antioch, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, explaining his stand.

Indulekha Joseph, one of the leaders of the Kerala Catholic Church Reformation movement, alleged the action against sister Lucy was an attempt to silence the voices of protest against any form of unjust activities within the church.

Social activist Swami Agnivesh condemned the action against sister Lucy and the Jacobite priest for supporting the five nuns.

The nuns had protested for 13 days, demanding the arrest of the bishop who was accused of repeatedly raping a fellow nun.

The bishop, arrested on Friday after three days of intense grilling by Kerala police, is now in police custody.&nbsp;

A Jacobite priest has been warned of disciplinary action and a Catholic nun restrained from church duties in a fallout of their participation in protests in Kochi demanding the arrest of rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

A Jacobite priest has been warned of disciplinary action and a Catholic nun restrained from church duties in a fallout of their participation in protests in Kochi demanding the arrest of rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal. Sister Lucy Kalapura, who returned to her parish in Wayand Sunday morning from Kochi, claimed she was informed orally by the Mother Superior that she should keep away from holding catechism classes, conducting prayers and other activities related to the Syro Malabar catholic church. "No written orders were given to me. I was only informed orally by the Mother Superior not to participate in any church-related activities," the sister told PTI. However, in a statement Father Stephen Kottakkal, vicar of the St Mary's church Karakkamala in Wayanad, said Sister Lucy had been asked to keep away from duties in view of certain concerns expressed by the parishioners. He denied the church had initiated any retaliatory measure against Sister Lucy for participating in the nuns protest in Kochi. "The believers had informed us that they had some difficulties in sister Lucy participating in the church activities relating to Holy mass and taking classes for their children," he said. The vicar said he had only 'conveyed' the general feeling of the parishioners with regard to certain posts of sister Lucy in the social media which they felt were not in consonance with the church beliefs. Many of them had informed him of the same, he said. The Franciscean Clarist Congregation St Mary's province Mananthavady, to which sister Lucy belongs, said she faced disciplinary action for various other reasons. However, no explanation had been sought or action taken so far against her in connection with the nun's issue. Sister Lucy, however, maintained the restraint order against her was only for participating in the protests at Kochi. The priest, Bar Yuhanon Ramban, belonging to a dayara in Ernakulam district, said Sunday he had received a "warning" letter from his church headquarters in Damascus in Syria for supporting the nuns' protest. The letter also said he had campaigned for the implementation of Church Act, he told PTI. According to the letter, his involvement and public speeches supporting the Catholic nuns were seemingly more than the envisaged living style of church priests. It further said his activities had caused 'disgrace' to the status of Monasticism and warned that disciplinary measures would be taken if he continued with such deeds. The priest alleged that some local bishops had conspired against him and sent wrong information to the church higher-ups in Syria and based on which they had issued the warning letter. He has written a letter to the Patriarch of Antioch, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, explaining his stand. Indulekha Joseph, one of the leaders of the Kerala Catholic Church Reformation movement, alleged the action against sister Lucy was an attempt to silence the voices of protest against any form of unjust activities within the church. Social activist Swami Agnivesh condemned the action against sister Lucy and the Jacobite priest for supporting the five nuns. The nuns had protested for 13 days, demanding the arrest of the bishop who was accused of repeatedly raping a fellow nun. The bishop, arrested on Friday after three days of intense grilling by Kerala police, is now in police custody.

Action against priest, nun for supporting nuns' protest against Kerala bishop accused of rape

A court in Pala on Saturday rejected a bail application filed by Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a nun, and sent him to two-day police custody.

The Bishop was brought to the magistrate court around 1.15 pm amid tight security. His lawyers moved the application, submitting that the clergyman was arrested after a three-day-long interrogation by the probe team.

Opposing the plea, the police said his three-day custody was required to complete the investigation in the case.

Recording the submissions, the magistrate granted two-day custody of the bishop to police, till 2.30 pm on Monday.

Earlier, the bishop was discharged from the Government Medical College Hospital here, where he was admitted on Friday night following complaints of chest pain.

The 54-year-old clergyman had complained of pain in his chest while being taken to Kottayam Police club from the Crime Branch office at Thrippunithura in Ernakulam district Friday night.

He was under observation in the cardiology section of the hospital for over six hours after his blood pressure shot up, official sources said.

Police took him to the court in Pala from police club here.

In her complaint to the Kottayam Police in June, the nun had alleged that Bishop Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions.

The nun said that she had to approach the police as the church authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman.

However, the bishop has denied the charges.

A court in Pala on Saturday rejected a bail application filed by Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a nun, and sent him to two-day police custody.

A court in Pala on Saturday rejected a bail application filed by Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a nun, and sent him to two-day police custody. The Bishop was brought to the magistrate court around 1.15 pm amid tight security. His lawyers moved the application, submitting that the clergyman was arrested after a three-day-long interrogation by the probe team. Opposing the plea, the police said his three-day custody was required to complete the investigation in the case. Recording the submissions, the magistrate granted two-day custody of the bishop to police, till 2.30 pm on Monday. Earlier, the bishop was discharged from the Government Medical College Hospital here, where he was admitted on Friday night following complaints of chest pain. The 54-year-old clergyman had complained of pain in his chest while being taken to Kottayam Police club from the Crime Branch office at Thrippunithura in Ernakulam district Friday night. He was under observation in the cardiology section of the hospital for over six hours after his blood pressure shot up, official sources said. Police took him to the court in Pala from police club here. In her complaint to the Kottayam Police in June, the nun had alleged that Bishop Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions. The nun said that she had to approach the police as the church authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman. However, the bishop has denied the charges.

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal's bail plea rejected, sent to 2-day police custody

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused by a nun of raping and sexually assaulting her, has been arrested, said&nbsp;Kottayam SP Hari Sankar

"On basis of the evidence collected so far and interrogation that continued for 3 days, we have arrested Bishop Frankkol at 8 pm today. Subsequent investigation will continue,'' Sankar said.

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Kerala nun rape case: Kottayam SP Hari Sankar says, "On basis of the evidence collected so far &amp; interrogation that continued for 3 days,we arrested Bishop Frankkol at 8 pm today. Subsequent investigation will continue.He'll be produced before a magistrate court tomorrow morning" <a href="https://t.co/ruvGTnldEI">pic.twitter.com/ruvGTnldEI</a>
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Kochi: Accused Franco Mulakkal arrested in Kerala nun rape case; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#visuals</a> from government hospital in Tripunithura <a href="https://t.co/FMCMbrGNtI">pic.twitter.com/FMCMbrGNtI</a>
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Bishop Mulakkal will be&nbsp;produced before a magistrate court tomorrow morning, he added.

"The investigating officer in the nun rape case has found that the bishop has committed the crime," Sankar told journalists earlier.

Pope Francis on Thursday "temporarily" relieved Mulakkal of pastoral responsibilities as the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese.&nbsp;

He has been accused by the nun of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting her between 2014 and 2016.&nbsp;

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused by a nun of raping and sexually assaulting her, has been arrested, said Kottayam SP Hari Sankar "On basis of the evidence collected so far and interrogation that continued for 3 days, we have arrested Bishop Frankkol at 8 pm today.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused by a nun of raping and sexually assaulting her, has been arrested, said Kottayam SP Hari Sankar "On basis of the evidence collected so far and interrogation that continued for 3 days, we have arrested Bishop Frankkol at 8 pm today. Subsequent investigation will continue,'' Sankar said. Kerala nun rape case: Kottayam SP Hari Sankar says, "On basis of the evidence collected so far & interrogation that continued for 3 days,we arrested Bishop Frankkol at 8 pm today. Subsequent investigation will continue.He'll be produced before a magistrate court tomorrow morning" pic.twitter.com/ruvGTnldEI — ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2018 × Kochi: Accused Franco Mulakkal arrested in Kerala nun rape case; #visuals from government hospital in Tripunithura pic.twitter.com/FMCMbrGNtI — ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2018 × Bishop Mulakkal will be produced before a magistrate court tomorrow morning, he added. "The investigating officer in the nun rape case has found that the bishop has committed the crime," Sankar told journalists earlier. Pope Francis on Thursday "temporarily" relieved Mulakkal of pastoral responsibilities as the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese. He has been accused by the nun of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting her between 2014 and 2016.

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal arrested