The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the state government to file a report giving details of the actions taken on the sexual assault complaint filed by a nun against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal.
A Division Bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy has given the direction while hearing two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking a direction to the government to complete the investigation in a time bound manner and to serve justice to the nun.
The court also asked the state government whether adequate security was being provided to the victim and other nuns who are witnesses in the case.
It was in June this year that the nun has filed a police complaint against Jalandhar bishop alleging that he had sexually abused her multiple times at a guest house in Kottayam in Kerala.
Following the complaint by the nun the Kerala police have registered a case against the Bishop of Jalandhar, Frank Mullakkal, at Kuravilangad police station.
The nun, who is now in Marangattu church seminary, has alleged in her complaint filed with the police that Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of the Diocese of Jalandhar, had sexually abused her multiple times at a guest house at Kuruvilangad in Kottayam between 2014 and 2016.
Meanwhile, the National Commission of Women (NCW) on Monday issued summons to Kerala MLA, PC George asking him to appear before the Commission on 20th September and provide explanation for the derogatory remarks he made against the nun, who had leveled rape charges against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mullackal.
The notice says that Commission is deeply disturbed by the news item containing his statement against the nun and has asked him to appear in person before the Commission at the NCW headquarters in New Delhi on September 20 at 11.30 and give explanation.
“The Commission seriously condemns such objectionable and derogatory statements made by a person who occupies a responsible position in the society. Considering the gravity of the matter, you are hereby required to provide an explanation for making such statements,” read the NCW notice to George, directing him to appear before the Commission on September 20 PC George had, on Saturday, questioned the character of the nun, who had raised sexual abuse charges against Jalandhar Bishop, and called her a “prostitute”.
Addressing media persons in Kottayam, George called the nun a prostitute and questioned the genuineness of her complaint, Why was she silent during 12 occasions of rape and came out with the complaint only after the 13th occasion?, he asked. “No one has doubt that the nun is a prostitute. Twelve times she enjoyed it and the 13th time it is rape? Why didn’t she complain the first time?,” he asked.
When the nun lost her virginity, she ceased to be a nun and should give up her holy dress, he said. At the same time he said that the bishop should be jailed if allegations against him are proven right, and added that women are misusing rules to trap men.