By Matters India Reporter

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has fixed October 3 to deliver its decision on the bail plea of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested on charges of raping a Catholic nun.

Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan on September 27 heard the arguments of the defense and the prosecution in the case against Bishop Mulakkal for allegedly raping the senior nun repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

The Kerala police arrested the bishop on September 21 after three days of interrogation. Judge M Lekshmi of Pala Judicial Magisterial Court on September 24 sent him to judicial custody until October 6.

While fixing October 3 as the date for his verdict, the High Court judge remarked a decision at the moment would be too early.

Pressing for bail, the bishop’s counsel presented a video clip showing the prelate attending the First Holy Communion of the victim’s nephew.

The counsel said the ceremonies were just a day after the victim was allegedly abused for the first time.

The prosecution, however, pleaded that granting him bail would affect the ongoing investigation as more statements have to be recorded. They also argued that the bishop would influence witnesses using his power and clout. They also said a 120-page testimony the alleged rape survivor given to a magistrate explains the sexual abuses in detail.

The police are also investigating two cases where the accused had allegedly tried to influence or intimidate the victim and her supporters.

Bishop Mulakkal, who recently stepped down as the bishop of Jalandhar, Punjab, is the first prelate in India to be jailed on charges of rape.

Meanwhile Malayalam news website, mangalam.com, reported a police complaint from the nun’s sister that a third party had procured the photos and video of their private family function from the studio owner and their copies have come to the possession of legislator P C George, a bitter critic of the nun.

George had earlier apologized for calling the nun a prostitute. However, he continues to maintain the bishop is innocent and the nun had concocted the rape as a vendetta.