Kochi: The Missionaries of Jesus received flak from the Kerala Women’s Commission for releasing the picture of the victim in the Jalandhar Bishop Rape case.
The Commission, on Friday, September 14, released a statement demanding legal action against those of the members of Missionaries of Jesus who released the victim’s picture.
The statement quoted M C Josephine, Chairperson of the state Women’s Commission as saying, “In cases of sexual abuse, it is against the law to release the picture of the victim and, hence, strict action should be taken in this regard,” and added that they would be studying the situation in legal terms and come up with the necessary measures.
The Missionaries of Jesus made several press releases in defence of the rape-accused, Bishop of Jalandhar James Franco Mulakkal and tried to shame the nun who filed the complaint against him, after some sisters from the Kuravilangad Convent took out protests outside the Kochi High Court on September 8, as the police had failed to arrest the Bishop, even after 70 days of the complaint.
The release came along with a picture of the victim, who was seen beside the bishop. The release claimed that the picture was taken merely a day after the first alleged rape. The statement also carried a disclaimer that said that the image was being released as evidence and that the congregation was not responsible if the picture became public.
