Jalandhar: Former bishop Franco Mulakkal (54), who was granted conditional bail in a rape case by the Kerala High Court, reached Jalandhar on Wednesday (October 17). The former bishop was received by the Apostolic administrator of Jalandhar, bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias and other supporters at the Bishop House at 5 pm.

“Your prayers were heard, and I got the bail. I appeal to you to continue praying for me as it was the first phase while the second phase is yet to come,” Mulakkal said while addressing the gathering in a prayer hall.

“I am a law-abiding person and have cooperated with the police. I will continue to cooperate with the police and justice will be delivered,” Mulakkal said to the media and thanked the Punjabi community for their support to him and said that he was sure that justice would be delivered to him. 

Sister Anu Joseph, who was there to welcome Mulakkal, said “They are happy that he has got the bail and he will be pronounced innocent soon.”

Franco Mulakkal was arrested in Kochi on September 21 for allegedly raping a senior nun of a convent in Kottayam four years ago and had been in Pala jail in Kerala since then. The Kerala High Court granted him conditional bail on Monday (October 15). Mulakkal was later released from the prison on Tuesday (October 16).