The Kerala Police on Friday arrested Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Roman Catholic Diocese accused of sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016.
Earlier in the day, Bishop Mulakkal was questioned by the Kerala police for the third consecutive day on Friday over allegations of rape and unnatural sex levelled by a nun.
The former bishop, who was grilled for more than eight hours Thursday, was directed to be present before the investigation team by 10.30 am Friday. He, however, reached at 10.40 am from a five-star hotel in Kochi for the interrogation amid tight police security.
Amid the continued outrage over the alleged sexual assault of the nun, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) said Thursday Pope Francis had temporarily relieved him of his pastoral responsibilities, a decision that was welcomed by the protesting nuns who termed the development as the "first victory" in their fight against the former bishop.
Watch: Police arrest accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal