Keral

Church sex scandal: Probe team for Delhi

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A six-member police team investigating the alleged rape of a nun by Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Jalandhar diocese of the Catholic Church has left for New Delhi for further investigation.

The team, led by K. Subhash, DySP, Vaikom, is expected to complete the investigation in Delhi before moving to Jalandhar.

According to the police, the team will take statement from the family that had raised allegations against the survivor earlier. One of the reasons for the transfer of the survivor from Jalandhar to Kerala was the accusations raised by a member of the family against the nun.

The investigation team is expected to take statement from Bishop Sebastian Vadakkel, head of the diocese of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh in whom the nun had confided the alleged abuse.

Meanwhile, the team is expected to probe the issue of Fr. James Erthayil who had offered to a friend of the nun land and an exclusive convent. Whether anyone from outside Kerala was involved in the moves made by the priest would have to be looked into, sources said.