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The Kerala Women’s Commission has reacted strongly against the Missionaries of Jesus for releasing the picture of the nun who accused the Jalandhar Bishop, James Franco Mulakkal, of raping her multiple times.
In a statement released on Friday, the state Women’s Commission said that legal measures should be taken against those from the Missionaries of Jesus who released the picture of the complainant. In cases of sexual abuse, it is against the law to release the picture of the victim and, hence, strict action should be taken in this regard, MC Josephine, Chairperson of the state Women’s Commission is reported to have said in the statement.
Josephine said that the Women’s Commission will study the legality of the situation and take necessary measures.
Following the inaction of the police with regard to the case, especially since the police failed to arrest the Bishop even after 70 days of the complaint being registered, some sisters from the Kuravilangad Convent began protesting outside the Kochi High Court on September 8, demanding the arrest of the Bishop.
Ever since the beginning of the protest, the Missionaries of Jesus have come out with multiple press releases which shielded the rape-accused Bishop and shamed the nun who filed a complaint.
In a statement on Friday, the congregation released the picture of the complainant nun seen alongside the Bishop alleging that it is a picture taken the very next day after the first alleged rape took place. The last line of the press statement says that the picture is just for the evidence and that Missionaries of Jesus would not be responsible if the picture becomes public.