Kochi/Kottayam: As protests against delay in taking action against the Jalandhar bishop facing rape charges gain momentum in Kerala, the police on Monday hinted at summoning him for questioning this week.
Police said there were a 'lot of contradictions' in the statements given by the victim nun, witnesses and bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese. A decision on further action would be taken after clearing all the doubts, cops revealed.
“The bishop may be summoned to Kerala for interrogation,” a senior police officer told PTI.
The officer, who did not wish to be named, rejected the charges levelled by protesters seeking justice for the nun that police were helping the bishop.
"A free and fair probe is on," he said.
Action against George
Reports from Kottayam said police have initiated action against independent MLA P C George who had made allegedly 'derogatory' statements against the nun.
Kottayam district police chief directed the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take statements of the nun in connection with George's remarks against her.
George, however, continued his allegations against the victim and five other nuns, who have been sitting on a protest in Kochi, seeking justice.
Talking to reporters at his residence in Poonjar, George said he had certain doubts on the real victim in the case. "Who is the real victim? The nun or the Bishop,” he asked.
Responding to questions on the action initiated against him by the National Commission for Women (NCW) for using abusive language against the nun, George hit out at the women's rights' body. The NCW has summoned George to New Delhi to give an explanation in the case.
He urged the protesting nuns to file a petition in the High Court instead of staging a public agitation in the case.
"If the nuns seek legal protection in the case, I will support them. If they are trying to humiliate the entire community of priests, that is unacceptable," George said.
Like custodial torture: Jacob Thomas
Former vigilance director Jacob Thomas on Monday stated that sexually exploiting a nun in a convent is as despicable as custodial torture.
“Nuns virtually lead a life of penance obeying orders of their superiors. Attacking somebody who is lodged in a lock-up is the worst form of violence because the victim is totally helpless. Harassing a nun in a convent is no different,” said Jacob Thomas during a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
Chennithala calls for action
Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said there were charges that the probe was proceeding very slowly.
"Police have not completed the probe even 76 days after registering the case. It is a serious issue. Investigation should be completed quickly and the culprits should be given punishment as prescribed in the law," he told reporters in Kochi.
Justice B Kemal Pasha had alleged that the Jalandhar bishop and the police have entered into an unholy alliance, which is preventing his arrest in the case.
Demanding immediate arrest and medical examination of the bishop, Kemal Pasha said: “The DGP had announced that the probe was in the final stage; but even then the arrest did not take place. This is unheard of.”
Catholic reformation organisations, including the Kerala Catholic Church Reformation Movement, continued their indefinite protest in Kochi, seeking justice for the nun.
BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits in Kerala also expressed solidarity with the agitating nuns and church organisations seeking justice for the nun.
BMS national president Saji Narayanan, Hindu Aikyavedi state general secretary R V Babu and local BJP leaders visited the protest venue and expressed solidarity with the agitation.
The Bishop has been accused of rape and unnatural sex with the complainant multiple times between 2014 and 2016.
