The Kerala police issued a notice to the Missionaries of Jesus public relations officer for revealing the identity of the survivor nun through a photograph, to expand investigations in the rape case against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, according to a Manorama report. The Missionaries of Jesus congregation, to which the rape accused Bishop and the survivor nun belong, released a photo of the nun, in direct violation of the Supreme Court guidelines to not reveal the identity of the victim.

The photo, of the survivor nun sitting next to the Bishop, was released to the media along with a statement to reveal the ‘findings’ of the congregation’s internal enquiry commission. However, it came with a warning to the media, against “violating the law and publishing the photograph.”

The Kuravilangad police station, where the complaint was registered, issued the notice to Sr Amala, the congregation PRO, a day after the Bishop’s arrest.

In a parallel complaint, the survivor has approached the Kottayam SP office against independent MLA PC George for the abusive language he used against her. The complaint has been forwarded to the Special Investigation Team probing the case.

The National Commission for Women has also termed the MLA’s use of language deeply disturbing.

Rape accused Bishop of Jalandhar Franco Mulakkal was arrested on Friday after three days of rigorous questioning. He was produced before the Pala Magistrate court where he was allowed to be kept in police custody for two days.

He has further been remanded to judicial custody by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Pala until October 6. He was taken to Sub Jail Pala on September 24, the same day he was remanded.