The police team probing the rape charges against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal on Saturday issued a notice seeking to cancel his bail in case of failure to produce his laptop before the team by November 5.
Officials said a notice to this effect was issued to Father Peter Kavumpuram, the bishop’s public relations officer, when he appeared along with the bishop before K. Subash, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vaikom, on Saturday. The police had earlier demanded that the laptop be produced for a scientific examination.
According to the police, verification of the laptop was crucial in establishing whether the bishop had issued a letter ordering an internal probe against the survivor nun. During interrogation, the bishop had said that the nun levelled rape charges against him in retaliation to his inquiry order against her.
Bail condition
Earlier in the day, the bishop reached the Vaikom Dy.SP office around 10.30 a.m. and returned after 20 minutes. He appeared before the investigation officer as per a bail condition set by the High Court, which directed him to appear before the investigation officer once every two weeks.
The court had also directed the bishop to surrender his passport and not to enter the State for any purpose unrelated to the case. Bishop Franco was taken into police custody on September 21 after being interrogated for two days.
Official sources said the team was awaiting an order from the State government on the appointment of special public prosecutor before filing the chargesheet.