Keral

Bishop Franco Mulakkal's bail plea rejected

Rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal after being arrested by the Kerala police, in Thrippunithura, Friday, Sept 21, 2018.

Rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal after being arrested by the Kerala police, in Thrippunithura, Friday, Sept 21, 2018.   | Photo Credit: PTI

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He has been sent to two days' police custody

The Magistrate Court at Pala has rejected Bishop Franco Mulakkal's bail plea and sent him to two days' police custody.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had arrested Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal on rape charges, had sought three days' custody.

He would be taken for medical examination before resuming the interrogation

The bishop was produced before the Magistrate Court, Pala, on Saturday afternoon. His lawyers had contended that there was no need for police custody as the investigation team had already completed interrogation of the bishop.

 

The bishop, who had complained of chest pain and uneasiness during the travel from Kochi to Kottayam on Friday night, was admitted to the Cardiology Department of Kottayam Government Medical College.

The police took custody of the accused on Saturday morning, after the Medical College authorities gave a clean chit for the bishop. They maintained that the reason for the complaints was that he was suffering from high blood pressure.

The bishop was later taken to the Police Club in the town where he was questioned by the police.

There were reports that he would be taken to Kottayam General Hospital for further check up, but police dropped the idea and took him directly to the Court Complex, Pala.