The Special Investigation Team during the course of its three-day interrogation was able to pick holes in Bishop Franco Mulakkal’s allegation that a conspiracy was hatched to foist the rape case on him, said Hari Sanker, Superintendent of Police, Kottayam.
Talking to reporters outside the Crime Branch office at Tripunithura after the bishop was taken for medical examination, Mr Sanker said the investigation team was able to pick holes in the allegation of conspiracy, an argument he had also mentioned in the anticipatory bail pending before the High Court, during the second day of interrogation on the strength of evidence.
He dismissed criticism over perceived delay in the arrest stating that the arrest was recorded after detailed interrogation and multi-level discussions during its course.
The investigation team remains confident that the evidence collected will withstand legal scrutiny. More arrests, including that of persons who are accused of having attempted to influence the nun, if necessary, will be made along the course of further investigation.
Mr. Sanker said the interrogation team was able to wear down the bishop and pick holes in his defence against the charges on the strength of evidence painstakingly collected over the last two months.
Those evidence helped the police to conduct a very effective interrogation helping to clarify details and reach conclusions, he said.
The arrest was recorded after meticulous interrogation and giving the accused reasonable time for proving his innocence.
Plea for custody
The police will file application for the custody of the accused for three days. Potency test of the accused will be conducted while in custody.
Mr. Sanker, however, refused to divulge whether the bishop had made any confession during the interrogation.
