Jalandhar, July 14, 2020: Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar has tested Covid-19 positive, the same evening a court in Kerala issued non-bailable warrant against him for non-appearance in a rape case.

Officials at the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar where the accused bishop’s test was done confirmed on July 13 that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

He was reportedly tested on July 6 also but proved negative. As he has reportedly developed sore throat and cough his sample was taken again soon after the court verdict and tested positive.

Jalandhar diocese’s spokesperson Father Peter Kavumpuram, who also acts as Bishop Mulakkal’s PRO, said the prelate had two long sessions of discussion with his counsel Mandeep Sachdeva on June 29 and 30 and a couple of days later Sachdeva tested positive.

“He has been in home quarantine since July 6 after he had some complaints and advocate Sachdeva had also tested positive. We are now discussing is he needs to be moved to an isolation facility to stay under medical supervision due to some symptoms,” the priest told reporters.

According to the Times of India, Bishop Mulakkal is the first to test positive in the Bishop’s House in Jalandhar where other priests and staffers are also staying.

On July 13, Mulakkal’s counsel informed the Kerala court that his client could not appear as he had been in self-quarantine due to his primary contact with a Covid-19 infected person.

The prelate, who is accused of raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016 has skipped the previous hearing on July 1. His counsel had then submitted that the priest could not appear as he was stuck in a Covid-19 containment zone at Jalandhar in Punjab.

However, the prosecution refuted the claim saying, the place where he lives in Jalandhar was not a containment zone on July 1.

The Additional Sessions and District Court in Kottayam then gave the prelate and his team an ultimatum to appear in the court on July 13.

When he failed to be present, the court cancelled his bail, considering the prosecution argument that the accused was trying to delay the trial, and posted the case to August 13.

The Kerala High Court on July 7 had dismissed a petition seeking to discharge Mulakkal from the sexual assault case filed against him by the nun. It had directed Bishop Mulakkal to stand for trial in the rape case.

The court dismissed the plea by the bishop, admitting the prosecution argument that there was prima facie evidence against Mulakkal in the rape case.

The nun, a member of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, complained to the police on June 27, 2018, that the bishop forcibly subjected to her sexual abuses in their convent in Kuravilangad near Kottayam.

Arrested by the Special Investigation team, the bishop has been charged with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation.

Source: The Hindustan Times and The Times of India