Bishop Franco Mulakkal Case: Rape Survivor Nun Launches Clothing Brand 'Stand By Me'

Years after a rape allegation against former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal triggered a high-profile legal battle, three Kerala nuns associated with the case have embarked on a new journey towards financial independence by launching a clothing venture called ‘Stand By Me – Survivors of Gender-Based Violence.’

The initiative has been started by the three nuns living at St Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangadu, Kottayam. One of them is the survivor who had accused Mulakkal of rape, while the other two stood by her during the prolonged legal battle. The venture, they say, is not merely a business but an effort to regain financial independence and rebuild their lives.

The idea took shape after financial assistance to the nuns was stopped in 2023. Attempts by two of them, who hold Master’s degrees in Social Work, to secure internships reportedly did not succeed. With employment opportunities proving difficult to access because of their association with the case, the nuns turned to tailoring skills they had acquired earlier.

he name ‘Stand By Me’ reflects the support the three nuns received from people who remained alongside them during their legal and personal struggles. The enterprise has also become a symbol of self-reliance, with the proceeds helping meet their daily expenses while enabling them to continue their legal fight. The nuns have already participated in exhibitions in Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram and are now seeking to expand their reach. Their products are scheduled to be displayed at a Women Entrepreneur Network exhibition in Kozhikode.

The legal battle, meanwhile, continues. Mulakkal was acquitted by a trial court in 2022, after which he resigned as Jalandhar Bishop. The survivor has challenged the acquittal before the Kerala High Court.

What is the Franco Mulakkal case?

An Additional Sessions Judge, G Gopakumar in Kottayam in 2022 had acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the case that pertained to raping nun multiple times in Kerala. Mulakkal, is accused of raping the nun multiple times during his visit to a convent in this district when he was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church.

The rape case against the Bishop was registered by police in Kottayam district in June, 2018. In her complaint to the police in June 2018, the nun had alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by Franco between 2014 and 2016.

The complaint had stated that she was raped 14 times by Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Jalandhar diocese, from May 2014. In July, Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt gave statement to investigation officer K Subhash, Deputy SP, Vaikom, that the survivor nun had complained about Franco earlier, but since the complaint was not filed in writing, he did not take any action.

A Special Investigation Team which probed the case, arrested the Bishop in September 2018 and charged him under Sections 342 (punishment for 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) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to news reports the survivor had written a letter to Giambattista Diquattro, Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio (a diplomatic mission) alleging the bishop had been using the wealth of the diocese and his power to divert police investigation against him. She also alleged that the bishop had arranged people to attack her and her companions who supported her.