Exclusive | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Fr James Aerthayil confesses to mediating on behalf of Jalandhar Diocese

In an explosive development in the investigation into the rape allegations made by a Kerala nun against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Republic TV has learnt that the Kottayam police has recorded the statement of senior priest Father James Aerthayil attached to the Kanjirappally diocese of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) whose conversation with Sister Anupama had stirred up a hornet's nest.

Fr James has reportedly confessed to the investigation officer (IO) that he was trying to broker a deal between the companion sisters (who are also witnesses in the case), the complainant nun and the Jalandhar Diocese to drop charges against Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

In his statement to Kottayam police, Fr James has claimed that a certain Shobi George, known to be close to the Jalandhar Diocese, had approached him to mediate a deal to ensure that the witnesses are silenced and the complainant herself does not pursue the case legally any further.

Sources close to Kottayam police have also told Republic TV that the statement of Shobi George too has been recorded by the IO and this will be part of the questions posed to Bishop Franco when he will be interrogated in the Tripunithura crime branch office on Wednesday.

READ | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Accused Bishop Mulakkal Allegedly Lied About His Whereabouts On A Critical Date. Here's How The Police Found Out

In an 11-minute audio clip that surfaced in July, Father James Aerthayil was heard making offers of a ten-acre land on which a convent will be built for the five nuns and the complainant as well. When Sister Anupama had not seemed to be lured by the offer, threats of the Dioceses being powerful and not hesitant in going to any extents to protect the Bishop was made.

Post the audio clip being made public and circulated widely on social media, a criminal case was registered against Fr James at the Kanjirapally police station in which he was booked for criminal intimidation, offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender- in consideration of that person’s concealing an offence and causing nuisance to any person by repeated or undesirable or anonymous call, letter, writing, message, e-mail or through a messenger.

The CMI had distanced itself from this controversy and had, with immediate effect, transferred Fr James from Kanjirappallly to Idukki.

Republic has learnt that during the questioning of Bishop Franco on Wednesday, he has remained elusive and vague, claiming to not remember his exact whereabouts on the dates of crimes mentioned by the complainant.

The location of interrogation was changed in the wee hours on Wednesday after police felt that the hi-tech crime branch office in Tripunithura is more suited for questioning which is being conducted by a team of five senior officers including the IG of Kochi range. Three cameras are recording the questioning of Bishop Franco. The sources have also confirmed that the questioning will be continued on September 20 as well.

READ | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Putting On An Air Of Nonchalantness, Rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal Steps Aside. Read His Letter Here