Move to sabotage case against Franco: Crime Branch to follow up

Kottayam: The Crime Branch will probe case relating to attempt to sabotage cases against Franco Mulakkal. Complaints relating to attempts to influence the witnesses , the release of rape survivor's photograph to the media would be probed by Kottayam district crime branch headed by Gireesh P. Sarathi.

DySP K. Subash is investigating the rape charge against Franco. Case related to complaints against move to sabotage the cases by influencing the witnesses and the release of rape survivor's photograph to the media would be probed by the crime branch.

Catholic priest James Erthayil has been charged with trying to buy the silence of the victim by offering her land.

According to a complaint, Erthayil made a phone call to Sister Anupam, an associate of the complainant and offered 10 acres of land for withdrawing the rape complaint against the bishop. When the audio conversation went viral on social media, Erthayil was asked by his superiors to step down from the responsibilities of the Kurianad monastery under Kanjirapally diocese and shifted to an institution under the church of Idukki.

The Kuravilangad police booked Erthayil under various IPC sections including criminal intimidation .

Meanwhile, the police have summoned Sister Amala MJ, the public relations officer of Missionaries of Jesus congregation to appear before the investigation team within a week in connection with releasing a photograph of the victim to the media. The photograph was released along with a statement to the media claiming that the nun was not raped as alleged by the complainant.