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Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Accused Of Nun’s Rape In Kerala, Acquitted

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Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Accused Of Nun’s Rape In Kerala, Acquitted

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, a former priest accused of raping a nun several times over a two-year period, in a case that has sparked massive outrage and protests in Kerala, was ruled by a court today. Acquitted.
Franco Mulakkal, 57, is India’s first Catholic bishop to stand trial on charges of raping a nun. After more than 100 days of trial, the Additional Sessions court handed down a single verdict, saying it found him not guilty.

He was seen smiling as he left the courtroom in Kottayam after the verdict.

In 2018, nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus in the diocese of Jalandhar accused Bishop Franco of repeatedly raping her between 2014 and 2016, when he was head of the Missionaries of Jesus. He denies the allegations.

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The accusations were followed by unprecedented street protests by the nuns, who demanded action from the church, the police and the Kerala state government.

A few months later, police launched an investigation after five nuns protested outside the High Court. The nuns also wrote to the Vatican seeking its intervention. The nuns were heavily criticized inside the church, and they were the target of a wave of threats and accusations.

A special investigation team investigating the allegations eventually arrested and charged the bishop in September 2018. Bishop Franco Muracar was arrested after three days of police questioning. The trial began in November 2019.

Kottayam police chief S Hari Shankar then expressed his shock at today’s verdict. “There is strong evidence in this case. No witnesses became hostile,” he told NDTV.

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The court prohibits print and electronic media from publishing any content related to the trial without its permission.

In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected Bishop’s request for a review of his earlier decision to dismiss his petition against rape allegations.

Mulakal told the court he was framed and challenged the financial dealings of the nuns who accused him.

Complete News Source : NDTV

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2 ‘Kala Jatheri gang members’ killed in encounter with F’bad cops in Fatehabad

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2 ‘Kala Jatheri gang members’ killed in encounter with F’bad cops in Fatehabad

According to the police, the encounter took place after at least four suspects tried to help their close aide escape from police custody
The Faridabad police gunned down two members of the Kala Jatheri gang in an encounter near Fatehabad on Friday, officers said. A constable was injured in the gunfight, they added.

According to the police, the encounter took place after at least four suspects tried to help their close aide escape from police custody.

The identity of one of the deceased was not known, while the other was identified as Ravi (single name), who had 28 cases lodged against him in multiple districts.

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Aman Yadav, assistant commissioner of Police (ACP), Faridabad said the incident occurred when the police van stopped near a roadside eatery on the outskirts of Fatehabad while transporting Ravi back to Faridabad jail after a court appearance in an Arms Act case.

“Four armed individuals attacked the police team, firing multiple rounds to facilitate Ravi’s escape. In retaliation, police returned fire, killing Ravi and another suspect on the spot,” Yadav said.

Constable Sarjeet Yadav suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was rushed to a civic hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable, said police.

Yadav said that Ravi, who had been lodged in Faridabad jail since April 24, 2023, was being transported after attending an appeal hearing at the Fatehabad court. The ambush, allegedly orchestrated by Ravi’s associates, was intended to secure his release from custody. The police’s swift response thwarted the plan.

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Ravi had a long history of violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, dacoity, robbery, and Arms Act violations. His activities spanned multiple districts, such as Sonipat, Jind, Rohtak, Faridabad, and Delhi. He was a key member of the Kala Jathedi gang, led by the notorious gangster Sandeep alias Kala Jathedi, who is currently in Tihar Jail.

Kala Jathedi himself is implicated in over a dozen cases across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. In 2020, he famously escaped from Haryana Police custody during a similar ambush orchestrated by his gang.

ACP Yadav confirmed that police teams are actively investigating to identify the remaining attackers involved in the ambush. “We are working to uncover the identities of the other suspects who participated in the operation. Stringent action will be taken against all involved,” Yadav said.

This encounter is part of an ongoing crackdown on organized crime, with authorities aiming to dismantle gangs operating in the region.

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