Kottayam, Jan 7, 2020: The hearing in the case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar, who was accused of allegedly raping a nun, has been deferred to January 25.
The hearing was postponed after Bishop Mulakkal failed to appear before Kottayam Additional District Sessions Court on January 6.
Instead of the bishop’s lawyer appeared before the court.
The lawyer said that the bishop had filed a plea stating that he could not appear before the court.
The court did not accepted the defense counsel’s request for more time.
Bishop Mulakkal was arrested on September 21, 2018. The chargesheet was submitted in the Court on April, 2019.
Police have registered five cases including charges of rape, unnatural sex and abuse of power against the bishop.
The proceedings such as reading out the chargesheet prior to the beginning of trial was yet to be completed.
Bishop Mulakkal had appeared before the court on November 30. Following this, his bail period was extended.
Sessions Court defers hearing on rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal to Jan 25