View into a courtroom © corgarashu (shutterstock)
At the district court in Kottayam in the Indian state of Kerala, the rape trial of Catholic bishop Franco Mulakkal began on Thursday. He is accused of raping a superior general.
After the reading of the indictment, Mulakkal pleaded not guilty, Catholic news portal Matters India reported.
The 56-year-old bishop of Jalandhar in the state of Punjab is accused of repeatedly raping the former superior general of the Missionaries of Jesus at a monastery in Kerala between 2014 and 2016. In contrast to previous hearings, Mulakkal appeared in court for the start of the trial without the episcopal regalia, she said.
Bishop released on bail
Mulakkal is the first prelate in India to be officially charged with rape. However, the trial could only begin after India's Supreme Court rejected Mulakkal's motion to dismiss the case.
The trial is reportedly scheduled to begin on 16. September to continue with testimony from alleged rape victim.
Due to the accusations of the nun Mulakkal had been arrested in September 2019. After three weeks he was released on bail and travel conditions. Last February, a second woman religious accused the bishop of sexual harassment.