Kerala court acquits Bishop Franco Mulakkal in nun's sexual abuse case

Kottayam: The District Additional Sessions Court here on Friday acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun sexual abuse case.

Judge G Gopakumar, while pronouncing the verdict, acquitted the Bishop from the case, stating that the prosecution has failed to produce the evidence against him.

In her complaint in June 2018, the nun, belonged to the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, alleged that she was sexually abused by the Franco, who was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of Roman Catholic Church at that time.

Later, the Kottayam police registered a case against the Bishop and arrested him on September 21, 2018.

Senior lawyers K Raman Pillai and C S Ajayan appeared for the accused while special prosecutor Jithesh J Babu and Subin K Varghese appeared for the prosecution.

Earlier, the case was considered by Pala court and later it was transferred to Kottayam Additional Sessions Court.

The court which heard the statements of 39 witnesses completed the trial within 105 days. (UNI)