The transfer of Vaikom Deputy Superintendent of Police K Subash, the officer who led the investigating team that probed the rape case against Jalandhar diocese Bishop Franco Mulakkal had kicked up a huge controversy in Kerala. But now, state Director General of Police Loknath Behra has decided to retain the officer in the Kottayam district itself.
DYSP Subash, who is currently posted in Vaikom, Kottayam district, was transferred to the Kottayam Crime Records Bureau on Friday night, said officials. Earlier, on Tuesday, Subash had been posted to the Vigilance Department in Idukki.
The decision to transfer Subash to Idukki had disappointed the people behind 'Save Our Sisters' campaign and the nuns in the Kuravilangad convent who are fighting the battle against Franco. They had alleged that the government was trying to sabotage the case. Though the investigation and the chargesheet in the case had been delayed many times and the nuns had criticised the government at various occasions, they had always been in praise of DYSP Subash's work. This is why the decision to move Subash, which was reportedly a routine transfer, led to anger because the nuns, who have come under attack from the church, had grown to trust him with the investigation.
"SOS welcomes the DGP's decision to retain DYSP Subash in Kottayam district. The official had taken great efforts to arrest Franco and ensure a fair probe in the case," SOS convener Felix J Pulloodan told TNM.
The SOS also said that the decision by the DGP has come as a huge relief for them. "We hope the case will go through the right path," said Felix Pulloodan. "The official was retained because the media and the public outraged and intervened. SOS is thankful for the vigilant stand of the media and public," he added.
The nuns in the Kuravilangad convent, who are crucial witnesses in the case, also welcomed the decision by the state police chief. As of now, however, there is no change in the transfer order of Kottayam Superintendent of Police Harishankar. Last week, the government transferred Harishankar and Vaikom DYSP Subash who were both investigating the case. Harishankar was transferred to Kollam and Subash was transferred to the Idukki Vigilance Wing. The nuns and SOS Action Council alleged that the transfer of the officers just prior to the trial was a move to sabotage the case. They also alleged that there was political pressure behind the transfer.
Franco Mulakkal is the prime accused in the controversial nun rape case. He stands accused of raping a nun at the Kuravilangad convent in Kottayam in Kerala over 13 times between 2014 to 2016.