NEW DELHI: Bishop Franco Mulakkal, facing probe over allegations of rape by a nun, on Saturday handed over his administrative responsibility of Jalandhar diocese to a senior priest.

The circular from Bishop stated: “as you have probably come to know from the media the investigation into the allegations raised against me as there are several contradictions in the evidences collected against me as per the report of the police and it is reported that I am likely to be called for further clarifications by the investigating officer in Kerala."

"In my absence Msgr. Mathew Kokkandam will administer the diocese as in the normal practice when I am away from the diocese” Bishop Mulakkal said in a circular.

Harishankar, SP Kottayam also informed: “Jalandhar Bishop Franco has been served notice to appear for interrogation on 19th Sept. A criminal case has been registered against Missionaries of Jesus for publishing a letter as well as a photo of the victim nun”. The Missionaries of Jesus had earlier published a letter as well as a photograph of the Kerala nun sitting next to the rape accused Bishop. Indian laws prohibit revealing the identity of rape and sexual assault survivors and victims.

News agency ANI also reported that the case has been brought to the notice of the Vatican. The church representative from India is in the Vatican to discuss the issue & is expecting intervention in the coming days.

The nun had accused Bishop Franco Mullakal of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.  A case was registered by the Kottayam police on June 28.

The nun has even appealed to the Vatican seeking justice. In a seven-page letter addressed to the Apostolic Nunciature- the representative of the Holy See in India- the victim has described the ordeal she allegedly went through at the hands of the Bishop. The victim also marked the plea to 21 other high ranking authorities of the Roman Catholic Church in India.

The bishop had, however, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and concocted", insisting she levelled those as the Catholic order had rejected her demand for favours.