In a new turn of events, Bishop Franco Mulakkal who is facing charges of raping a nun on Saturday, moved a petition at the Additional District and Sessions Court I, Kottayam, seeking to discharge him as an accused in the case. In the petition, the Bishop requested the court to discharge him from the case without even stepping into the hearing as the nun fabricated a story out of her personal grudge to him. The petition was moved even as the court was scheduled to commence preliminary hearing on charges against him. Meanwhile, the victim’s aides alleged that the petition was part of delaying tactics by the accused to influence the witnesses. Bishop Franco had appeared before the court on November 30 and had secured extension for his bail.

Source: The Hindu January 25, 2020 14:03 UTC