Kochi: The High Court on Tuesday dismissed the discharge petition of Bishop Franco Mulakkal in connection with a rape case of a nun. Franco had filed a petition in the High Court demanding his discharge without trail in the case as there were lack of evidence to prove him a culprit.
Franco had argued that there were contradictions in the witness statements recorded and therefore no proof was upheld to proceed with the case. However, the prosecution argued, that Franco was deliberately delaying the trial, and that the prima facie case would remain.
Earlier, the bishop had approached the Kottayam Additional District Sessions Court with a similar request and the plea was rejected on March 16. It was then that Bishop Franco approached the High Court with a review petition.
