Sister Anupama, face of protests against rape-accused Franco Mulakkal, leaves convent
Kottayam: Sister Anupama, who led the protests demanding justice for a nun who accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape, has left the convent and renounced her nunhood, according to sources from the Latin Catholic Church.
Anupama, an Alappuzha native, was part of a Kuravilangad-based convent under the Jalandhar diocese. She became the public face of the protests after a fellow nun accused Mulakkal of repeatedly raping her during his visits to the Kottayam convent between 2014 and 2016.
Church sources confirmed that she had left the convent “some time back,” but did not reveal the exact date or the reason behind her decision. Anupama and her family have so far remained unavailable for comment, and she has not made any public statement.
It was Anupama who took the lead in addressing the media and mobilising public support for the survivor, as the latter chose to stay away from the spotlight. Along with other nuns, Anupama had openly criticised the Church’s handling of the case and continued to challenge its authority in the years that followed.
Franco Mulakkal was temporarily relieved of his pastoral duties by Pope Francis in 2018. He was later acquitted by a local court in Kerala and stepped down as Bishop of Jalandhar in 2023. He currently leads a prayer mission in Kottayam as the Bishop Emeritus of the Jalandhar diocese.
The Church has not issued any official statement regarding Anupama’s resignation or her future plans.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
