Kochi: Nuns, priest and laity – who are demanding the arrest of bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case – have come up with fresh allegations that the bishop used to plot the downfall of anyone who opposed him by leaving them in legal tangles or embroiling them in controversies.A senior priest working in Jalandhar – on condition of anonymity – said that Mulakkal was always keen on attaining powerful positions. “The bishop had filed cases against several persons as a method of intimidation. He had even stoked controversies against his opponents,” said the priest.Jomon Thomas, sibling of Fr Basil Mukkanthottathil based in Jalandhar, said the bishop tried, in vain, to spread a rumour alleging immoral behaviour by his brother. He dropped the idea after he could not get support from the priests there.“The bishop wanted my brother to join Franciscan Missionaries of Jesus, a congregation he started. When Basil refused his wish, stating that his ‘call’ was to work for Jalandhar diocese, he fell prey to Mulakkal’s ire. He was restrained in a facility and banned from conducting ceremonies in the diocese,” said Thomas.The priest from Jalandhar confirmed this version. “Father Basil was a spiritual figure who was as acceptable as retreat guru Fr Vattayil in Kerala. The man led a simple life and I have heard that the facility where he was restrained by the bishop had cameras that were operated from elsewhere. Now, they are conducting private preaching calls at Jalandhar itself in a plot purchased by a family member of Fr Basil,” he said.Sr Anupama, one among the agitating nuns, admitted that she had bad experience with bishop Mulakkal. “The bishop confronted me and sought a written apology after he found that I was supporting the survivor. He restrained me in a room and I had nowhere to run. If I hadn’t given that apology stating that ‘I didn’t know the truth before and now I know the truth’, I would’ve become another Sr Abhaya,” she said, adding that the bishop’s allegation that there was a complaint against the survivor – for wrecking the life of another woman – was part of his dubious agenda.She added that cases were filed against each of the nuns, who took a stand against the bishop, to destroy their unity. “Many offers were made and when it didn’t succeed, they filed cases to intimidate our family. The case against the survivor’s brother is one such case,” she said.No comment was obtained from Jalandhar diocese despite several attempts. Calls to the phone numbers of the diocese spokesperson and Mulakkal went unanswered as the phones were switched off.

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