(Image source from: The Shillong Times)

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who has been accused of rape and unnatural sex by a nun, is shortly to be arrested on Friday. He is expected to be produced in a court at Pala.

The team, which is investigating the case, had been questioning Mulakkal at a high-tech facility at Thripunithura Women's Police cell for the past three days.

Mulakkal was informed of the move by the police and was moved to another room from where he was questioned earlier.

The police are seeking his custody for two days.

The SIT (Special Investigation Team) reportedly took the statement of the survivor nun again on Friday at a convent at Kuruvilangad at Kottayam.

Mulakkal's attorneys are in the meantime readying a bail application and the police are moving towards seeking a remand. Mulakkal's relatives have been approached to pledge security for his bail application.

On September 18, the Kerala High Court had postponed the hearing on an anticipatory bail plea filed by the bishop.

On Thursday, the Vatican had relieved Mulakkal of his personal responsibilities as the bishop of Jalandhar Diocese. Mulakkal had earlier stepped back from his administrative role at the diocese.

Meanwhile, on Friday, a group of nuns and activists protesting for Mulakkal's arrest welcomed reports that the bishop was to be officially apprehended soon.

By Sowmya Sangam