Former Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese, Franco Mulakkal has been acquitted of all charges in the nun rape case by the Additional Sessions Court this morning.
The trial lasted for more than 100 days and the verdict was pronounced by Judge G.Gopakumar. As soon as the verdict was pronounced, the bishop left the court premises. In response to the questions posed by media persons, all he said was ”Praise the Lord” with folded hands and walked away.
The court pronounced a single line verdict and acquitted the bishop of all charges. The Jalandhar Diocese reacted to the verdict and said that justice has been done.
The police had intensified security within and outside the court premises. Bomb squads and dog squads had conducted a search in the court premises earlier this morning.
The case was registered against the bishop by the Kottayam police in 2018 and the trial began in November 2019.
