The Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun multiple times at a convent in Kerala. The bail was issued on conditions, including asking the bishop not to enter Kerala after his release from the sub-jail in Kottayam and to surrender his passport. Bishop Franco Mulakkal has also been asked to present himself before the police every fortnight. He also has to appear before the probe officials as and when requested by them.
In a visible change in its stance compared to previous hearings, the prosecution did not object to the bishop's bail plea in the Kerala High Court on Monday. Bishop Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 amid mounting public outrage over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting the nun. A magisterial court in Kerala had on September 24 remanded the Kerala priest to 12-day judicial custody.
