Justice Raja Vijaya Raghavan dismissed the bail plea of bishop Franco Mulakkal holding that it was premature as the investigation was still progressing

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail petition of Franco Mulakkal, the Bishop of Jalandhar who was accused of sexually assaulting a nun in Kerala.

The court dismissed the bail plea which the prosecution opposed on the grounds that the bishop holding a high position in society was likely to influence witnesses if he is granted bail.

Police said investigation in the case was progressing following the arrest of the accused. The court also took note of the submission of the prosecution that the investigation in the case was at a crucial stage and statements of several other nuns were still being recorded.

Justice Raja Vijaya Raghavan dismissed the bail plea holding that it was premature as the investigation was steadily progressing in the matter even after the arrest of the petitioner. The court also noted that the statements of material witnesses in the case are yet to recorded by a magistrate

                                                                                                   —India Legal Bureau