Kerala Bishop's bail extended till June 7

Former Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of sexually assaulting a nun between 2014 and 2016 was arrested on September 21, 2018, on rape charges. The bishop's bail was extended on Friday till June 7.

Kottayam: The local Pala Magistrate court on Friday extended the bail of former Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of sexually assaulting a nun between 2014 and 2016, till June 7.

Bail extension was granted as Franco appeared in person before the court. Next date of hearing is fixed for June 7.

Mulakkal was arrested on September 21, 2018, on rape charges. He secured bail on October 16 and no longer heads the diocese.

The Kerala Police on Tuesday submitted a 1,400-page chargesheet to the court against the bishop.

It names 83 witnesses, including the Cardinal of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Mar George Alencherry, three bishops, 11 priests and several nuns.