Police summons bishop accused of raping Kerala nun

NEW DELHI: Kerala police has asked Bishop Franco Mullakal, accused of raping a nun, to appear before the investigating team on September 19, Inspector General of police, Vijay Sakhare said on Wednesday.
Sakhare said there are a lot of contradictions in the case and that it is their duty to protect the victim and the witnesses.
"Bishop Franco has been asked to appear on September 19.There are a lot contradictions in the case. This is an old case based primarily on oral evidence. We have verified a lot of contradictions. It's our duty to protect the victim and witnesses," said the IG.
Earlier, state minister EP Jayarajan while talking about the threat to the victim nun's life, said that the government is with her and they don't need to be concerned.
"Government is with the victim. They needn't be concerned. We'll take right decision at the right time. Police will book culprits with the support of evidence. Investigation is on the right path. No one should try to outrage modesty of a woman," Jayarajan said.
Meanwhile, facing increasing stigma and persecution from local church authorities, the Kottayam-based nun earlier wrote to Apostolic Nuncio Giambattista Diquattro – the pope’s envoy in India – pleading that a “speedy enquiry” be conducted into the case and that “Bishop Franco be removed from his responsibilities”.
She had accused the Jalandhar bishop of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.
The bishop had, however, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and concocted", insisting she levelled those as the catholic order had rejected her demand for favours.