Kerala Nuns: Franco Mulakkal Case Nun 'Stand By Me' Brand Debuts

• Three nuns, including a survivor in the Franco Mulakkal case, launched a clothing brand called 'Stand By Me – Survivors of Gender-Based Violence' for financial independence.
• The venture was initiated after their financial assistance stopped in 2023 and they faced difficulties securing employment due to their association with the high-profile case.
• Bishop Franco Mulakkal was accused of raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016, leading to his arrest in September 2018 and charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
• Mulakkal was acquitted by a trial court in 2022 and subsequently resigned as Jalandhar Bishop.
• The survivor has challenged Mulakkal's acquittal, and the appeal is currently ongoing before the Kerala High Court.

The 'Stand By Me' clothing venture, therefore, represents more than just a business; it is a critical source of support for the nuns as they continue their fight for justice.

In a significant move towards self-reliance, three nuns in Kerala, including one who accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape, have launched a clothing venture named 'Stand By Me – Survivors of Gender-Based Violence'. This initiative, operating from the St Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangadu, Kottayam, aims to secure financial independence and facilitate the rebuilding of their lives. The two other nuns involved have consistently supported the survivor throughout the protracted legal proceedings.

The genesis of this unique business, which directly addresses the challenges faced by survivors of gender-based violence in India, emerged after the nuns' financial assistance ceased in 2023. Despite two of them holding Master’s degrees in Social Work, their attempts to secure internships were reportedly unsuccessful. The high-profile nature of the Franco Mulakkal case made conventional employment opportunities difficult to access, prompting them to leverage their existing tailoring skills to create this Jalandhar Bishop rape case nun business.

The name 'Stand By Me' not only reflects the widespread support the nuns received during their personal and legal struggles but also embodies their commitment to self-sufficiency. Proceeds from the clothing brand are crucial for covering their daily expenses and sustaining their ongoing legal battle. The venture has already showcased its products at exhibitions in Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram and is now preparing for a display at a Women Entrepreneur Network exhibition in Kozhikode, signaling their ambition to expand their reach and impact.

The 'Stand By Me' brand's launch unfolds against the backdrop of a complex and high-profile legal saga involving Bishop Franco Mulakkal. The former head of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic Church was accused by a nun of multiple rapes during his visits to a convent in Kottayam district. The formal complaint was registered with Kottayam police in June 2018, detailing allegations of sexual abuse that occurred repeatedly between 2014 and 2016, specifically citing 14 instances of rape beginning in May 2014.

Further complicating the narrative, Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt informed investigating officer K Subhash, Deputy SP, Vaikom, in July of an earlier complaint made by the survivor nun against Mulakkal. However, due to the absence of a written record, no action was taken at that time. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) subsequently probed the matter, leading to Bishop Mulakkal's arrest in September 2018. He was charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 342 (wrongful confinement), 376 (2)(k), 376(2)(n) (rigorous imprisonment for not less than 10 years), 376 C(a) (intercourse by superintendent of remand home etc), 377 (unnatural offences), and 506(ii) (criminal intimidation).

Adding another layer to the accusations, the survivor nun reportedly wrote to Giambattista Diquattro, the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio, alleging that Bishop Mulakkal was exploiting the diocese's wealth and his influential position to obstruct the police investigation. She also claimed that the Bishop had arranged for individuals to attack her and those who supported her during the ordeal.

Despite the gravity of the charges and the extensive investigation, Bishop Franco Mulakkal was acquitted by an Additional Sessions Judge, G Gopakumar, in Kottayam in 2022. Following this acquittal, Mulakkal resigned from his position as Jalandhar Bishop. However, the legal battle is far from over, as the survivor has formally challenged this decision, initiating a Kerala High Court Mulakkal acquittal appeal.

The ongoing appeal underscores the persistent legal and personal struggles faced by the nuns. The 'Stand By Me' clothing venture, therefore, represents more than just a business; it is a critical source of support for the nuns as they continue their fight for justice. This nun financial independence legal battle highlights the broader socio-economic challenges confronting survivors of high-profile sexual assault cases, where pursuing legal recourse often necessitates significant personal and financial resilience.

This article highlights the ongoing appeal in the Bishop Franco Mulakkal case before the Kerala High Court, challenging his acquittal. It also underscores the significant socio-economic challenges faced by survivors of high-profile sexual assault cases, which may inform legal strategies for victim support and rehabilitation efforts in similar future cases.

Source: Original reporting via The Economic Times