Nun offered land to withdraw complaint
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Kochi: In a leaked phone conversation yesterday, a male voice offered land, building and safety in exchange for the victim’s silence in the Jalandhar Bishop-sexual assault case.
The call was allegedly made by a priest to a nun who stood by the rape survivor.
The feeler priest was heard introducing himself to the nun before saying, “We could buy land, build a convent and shift you all there safely. This wouldn’t happen tomorrow. Everything has a time. We could think about it.”
In the 11-minute long talk, the priest was often heard talking about threats in case she didn’t withdraw the complaint. “Being adamant on the stand means this wouldn’t happen”, the male voice said.
When the priest talked about ‘support’, the nun was heard asking “who would support, the Jalandhar Diocese?” To which the priest responded with a “Yes”.
He offered to buy 10 acres of land and raise a decent building for everyone. In order to make this happen, the nun must withdraw the case.
The nun who answered the call however declined the offer and stood her ground, voicing that the victim must get justice.
Meanwhile the Jalandhar diocese has clarified that it had not made any effort for a settlement between the nun and the bishop. And the person reported as having made such an effort has no connection with the diocese. The Chancellor of the diocese also said that the church is of the opinion that the law should take its course in the case.
Also, reports from Kerala's police circles indicate that a case may be registered against the cleric who tried to work out a patch up for the nun to withdraw her complaint against the bishop. The investigation team recorded on Sunday the statement of Sister Anupama, to whom the priest had talked. The Sister informed that an offer was made including large area of land for withdrawal of the complaint, and pressure was exerted for the sithdrawal. She gave the name and phone number of the caller too.
District Police Chief Hari Shankar informed that the nun's complaint will be submitted to the court on Monday and if the court permits, a case will be registered against the priest who tried to influence the nun.