Kerala Priest Booked for Trying to Bribe Nun to Withdraw Rape Case

(Representational Image)

Kerala church priest Fr James Erayathil was booked on July 30 for allegedly intimidating and influencing a key witness in the case against Jalandhar Bishop Frank Mullakkal, accused of sexually exploiting a nun for two years.

Police registered a case against Erayathil, the priest of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) congregation after an 11-minute audio clip of a bribe bid to withdraw the case surfaced.

In the clip, Erayathil is allegedly heard talking to Sr Anupama, who was one of the five nuns who stood for the victim. He is heard guaranteeing land and high positions in lieu of withdrawing the case.

"If we have to buy 10 acres of land and build a decent building for everyone, it's not easy. So they will help, but their condition is that this case must be withdrawn," he said.

The nun is allegedly heard refusing the offer and telling the priest that they won't withdraw any case. "We must get justice. We don't desire to lose any life, or sell our dignity," she added.

CT has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the leaked audio.

"We have booked him under non-bailable offences after getting the nod from the Pala first class judicial magistrate court," Kottyam SP Harishankar to HT.