The Kerala High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the Catholic bishop, who was arrested on charges of raping a nun.
In his bail petition, Mulakkal said that the allegations levelled by the nun were “wholly fabricated and cooked up only to inflict vengeance”, for the action he took against the nun on a separate complaint.
Mulakkal had argued that the nun was inimical towards him since she was removed from the post of Mother Superior.
However, the court rejected the plea on the grounds that there is apparent evidence against the bishop.
The court added that the allegations against the bishop are serious and Mulakkal occupies a high position in the church that he can influence witnesses.
Mulakkal, who heads the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab, is the first bishop in the country to be arrested on rape charges.
He will remain in the police custody till October 6.
