Nun moves National, State Women's panels, NHRC against Bishop

A nun, who filed a rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, has approached the National and State Women's Commissions besides the National Human Rights Commission, accusing the priest and his supporters of "harassing" her through various online platforms.

Acting swiftly, the Kerala Women's Commission registered a case on the basis of the complaint and directed the cyber wing of the Kerala police to investigate the matter. The commission observed that the nun's complaint was "very serious" in nature and directed the state police chief and the cyber wing of Kerala police to submit a report in 10 days.

READ | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Kerala Court Summons Franco Mulakkal For Trial

Chairperson of the Kerala Women's Commission MC Josephine said that no woman should be harassed through social media and directed police to take strong action against the culprits. In her complaint, the nun alleged the Bishop and his supporters were humiliating and defaming her and her fellow nuns who are witness in the case through social media and youtube channels.

The Nun narrates her ordeal 

"From the time the sexual assault was reported, I have been subjected to extreme humiliation and intimidations in various forms," the nun said in her complaint to the National Human Rights Commission. She further alleged that from the time the sexual assault FIR was registered, she and her fellow nuns have been "subjected to the vilest forms of character assassination."

"Attempts have been made through church authorities and various church social media organisations to spread rumours against me and my companion sisters who are also key witnesses in the case.

False statements, imputations and fabricated stories tarnishing our reputation and character are being systematically spread through the YouTube channel, and we believe Bishop Franco and his group are behind this agenda," she claimed. The nun pointed out that even after registering a case against the said channel, several videos were being circulated publishing her photograph and revealing her identity. The identity of witnesses supporting her are also disclosed leaving them open for intimidation and threats, she added.

READ | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Victim Alleges Harassment By Mulakkal's Aides

The nun charged Mulakkal with spreading false rumours and fake news through his supporters and media cells in order to intimidate her and her companion sisters. Claiming that their prime intention was to "humiliate, insult and torture" her, she said the actions of the Bishop and his allied agents amounted to clear violations of the law.

She appealed to the NHRC and women's commissions to take "serious action" against those violating the law and ensure justice to her and her companions. In her complaint to Kottayam police in June last year, the nun had alleged that Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions.

He was arrested in connection with the case. The nun said she had to approach the police as church authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman. However, Mulakkal has denied the charges as "baseless and concocted," insisting she levelled those as the Catholic order had rejected her demand for favours. He stepped aside as the bishop of Jalandhar diocese ahead of his arrest in connection with the case.

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