Jalandhar: Income Tax officials have arrested a priest, Father Anthony, who is considered a close ally of rape accused Father Franco Mulakkal. Five other persons were also arrested along with the priest and Rs. 10 crore confiscated from them.
Father Anthony and his accomplices were arrested from the outskirts of Jalandhar and the case handed over to the Income Tax department.
The Police were earlier aware of illegal activities in the region but failed to arrest anyone. However, the arrests have brought to light the unlawful conducts of Father Anthony.
His arrest have thrown open a lot of questions into his boss Father Franco Mulakkal’s financial activities in his capacity as Bishop of Jalandhar.
The nuns who were witnesses in the rape case against Father Franco has also mentioned Father Anthony’s name several times bringing out his close connection with Franco Mulakkal.
Father Anthony used to travel with Franco on his extensive world tours and also went to Kerala when he was arrested in the nun rape case. The duo returned to Jalandhar after Franco received bail.
Meanwhile, the witnesses in the nun rape case are being harassed by the Church for their stand against the priest. The Franciscan Clarist Congregation issued an ultimatum to Sister Lissy Vadakkel to return to Andhra Pradesh in a bid to stop her from standing witness against Franco.
Bishop Franco Mulakkal is accused of raping a nun with Missionaries of Jesus repeatedly over a period of time. The Kerala Police tried to drag the investigation but a huge outrage led to the arrest of the culprit. Kerala also witnessed the protest of five nuns in front of the Kerala High Court seeking justice for the victim.
Franco Mulakkal is currently on bail.
