Franco Mulakkal's arrest may be delayed

Kottayam: In the sexual abuse case registered against Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese, the arrest of the accused will be delayed as the diocese and the bishop are firm on the stand that the complaint is a fabricated one.

It has been decided by the police authorities that the arrest shall be done only after procuring more evidence.

A progress report on the investigation was handed over to the district police chief the other day. Based on the report, high level officials have instructed that the moves towards arrest should be paused for the time being.

The only evidence now available with the police is the unverified statements of the complainant and their relatives. It has been advised that the case cannot be carried forward relying solely on these statements as evidence. The investigation team also recalls that the bishop had in the past, filed two complaints against the nun.