Special Prosecutor Appointed in Nun's Appeal Sees Injustice in Case
The special public prosecutor appointed by the Kerala government in the high-profile nun rape case against former Bishop Franco Mulakkal made strong statements on Saturday. Senior advocate B G Harindranath declared that an injustice was done to the survivor. He expressed confidence in the appeal process currently before the Kerala High Court.
Discrepancies Found in Case Material
Harindranath revealed that he has identified several discrepancies in the case documents. While he has not yet reviewed the entire case material, what he has examined shows clear problems. The senior lawyer stated that many mistakes occurred during the initial proceedings. He believes these errors provide a solid foundation for the current appeal.
"A lot of mistakes were made. I believe we have a good chance in the appeal," Harindranath told media representatives. His appointment came after the victim-nun personally approached Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to request a special prosecutor for her appeal.
Victim Wrongly Treated as Accomplice
The prosecutor specifically criticized how the trial court handled the victim's testimony. He emphasized that it was incorrect for the lower court to view the nun as an accomplice in the case. This approach fundamentally undermined her credibility during the original trial.
"The victim was disbelieved by the court on the basis of statements of others. I feel an injustice was done to the victim," Harindranath explained during a television interview. He stressed that his primary objective is to demonstrate to the High Court that the trial court's reasons for disbelieving the victim were flawed and unjust.
Delayed Appointment Highlights Systemic Issues
Harindranath revealed an interesting detail about the timing of his appointment. Police authorities had approached him approximately six months earlier seeking his consent to serve as special public prosecutor. He agreed to take on the role at that time.
However, nothing happened for months afterward. "After taking my consent, there was no further response from their side," the senior lawyer noted. He connected this delay to broader systemic problems within the justice administration.
The prosecutor pointed out that the victim had to personally meet the Chief Minister to get movement on what should have been a straightforward procedural matter. "The fact that she had to see the CM for such a small matter indicates that our system is not functioning properly. This appointment happened only because she met the CM," Harindranath stated bluntly.
Background of the Case
The case involves serious allegations against Franco Mulakkal, the former Bishop of Jalandhar. A nun accused him of rape, leading to a trial that concluded in 2022 with Mulakkal's acquittal by a local court in Kerala. Following the verdict, Mulakkal resigned from his position as bishop.
The survivor-nun has challenged this acquittal verdict in the Kerala High Court. Her appeal seeks to overturn the trial court's decision and secure justice through the higher judicial system. The Kerala government's appointment of Harindranath as special public prosecutor represents a significant development in this ongoing legal battle.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office confirmed the appointment on Friday through an official statement. The notification formalizing Harindranath's position as special public prosecutor will be issued shortly according to government sources.
