Jalandhar diocese dismisses nuns’ DVDs tampering allegations against Franco Mullakal | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Jalandhar diocese dismisses nuns’ DVDs tampering allegations against Franco Mullakal

Hindustan Times, Jalandhar | By, Jalandhar
Jul 29, 2019 12:09 PM IST

The differences were found when the court verified the two sets of DVDs to hand over a copy to the counsel of the accused as per his request.

A day after protesting nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation alleged that serious attempts were being made to weaken the rape case against the deposed bishop of Jalandhar, Franco Mullakal, the Jalandhar diocese, on Sunday dismissed the accusation.

File photo of nuns’ protest against bishop Franco Mullakal demanding justice for the nun who has accused him of sexual assault.(Vivek Nair / HT File Photo)
File photo of nuns’ protest against bishop Franco Mullakal demanding justice for the nun who has accused him of sexual assault.(Vivek Nair / HT File Photo)

“How can the bishop manipulate the DVD which was in police custody,” a press release from the diocese said, adding, “Sister Anupama’s allegation that Bishop Franco is behind this manipulation of DVD, which was in the custody of DSP, Subhash, who filed the charge-sheet against Mulakkal, is unbelievable.”

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The case against Mullakal surfaced in June 2018, after a 43-year-old nun, also a mother superior, complained to the police that he had raped her 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Five nuns later staged a sit-in protest seeking his arrest.

The statement from the diocese added that such accusations were a regular tactic to deceive the public through unsubstantiated claims. The statement added that Sister Anupama had even branded the transfer of DSP Subhash as a conspiracy, even as this was a routine shifting. The judicial first class magistrate court in Pala (Kottayam) on Friday found differences in the contents of DVDs submitted by the forensic science laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram. The original DVDs, which contained details of contents of a laptop and mobile phone seized from Mullakal, had three folders. However, in the DVDs submitted by the lab, two out of three folders were blank.

“There are attempts to delay and weaken the case. We suspect DVDs, one of the evidence, were tampered with at the forensic lab. If the lab won’t correct its follies, we will be forced to move court,” Sister Anupama, one of the five nuns who sat on dharna in Kochi, seeking action against the bishop, had alleged on Saturday.

The differences were found when the court verified the two sets of DVDs to hand over a copy to the counsel of the accused as per his request.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On