Kochi: A group of protestors spearheading the agitation for the arrest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of rape and unnatural sex by a nun, has alleged that the delay in arresting the cleric 'is sheer subversion of the law.'
At the same time, the protesting nuns expressed hope at the intervention of the Vatican and the removal of the accused priest from the charge of the diocese of Jalandhar.
The protesters held a torchlight protest against the police delay in arresting the bishop even after two days of interrogation.
“They are protecting the bishop in spite of sufficient proof,” the protesters said. “They are forcing people to hit the streets to press for justice.”
The protestors also alleged that the investigators have ignored a criminal law amendment that mandates completion of probe on sexual abuse cases within two months of registering the first information report.
The investigating team, meanwhile, are quizzing the bishop for the third consecutive day.
Three teams are probing Fr Mulakkal, who has been accused of raping a nun 13 times over a period of two years at different places.
The bishop is being grilled by a special investigation team at a hi-tech facility at Thripunithura.
Kodiyeri alleges ulterior motive in 'nun protest'
Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan mounted a sharp attack on the agitating nuns who have been on a sit-in near the Kerala High Court for the last 13 days.
“There's an ulterior motive behind the agitation,” Kodiyeri said, adding that 'it was part of a political campaign.'
Kodiyeri alleged that the sound and fury of the agitation was aimed at sabotaging efforts to gather evidence. “The government is with the victim,” he asserted. “No culprit will be allowed to escape if there's proof of the crime, be it a Christian priest or a Hindu priest,” Kodiyeri said.
