KOCHI: The high court on Thursday said that strong evidences are needed to arrest Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulackal instead of having his confession statement. The decision about arresting Jalandhar bishop should be taken by the police. The high court had also evaluated that the investigation in the case is going forward in a good way. The court was examining the development of the investigation submitted by the police.

Strong evidence is required to arrest the bishop since the incident happened years ago. Taking confession statement from the accused will not be sufficient. The court is giving priority is for punishment not for arresting the bishop. If the petitioners have any allegations about the investigation, they can approach the court. The case will be reconsidered later on September 24. The court has also clarified that a CBI inquest is not required in the case.

The police had informed the court that investigation is being developed in the case and strong evidences are being collected. The evidences are being collected carefully since the incident happened years ago. No decision has been taken about arresting the bishop. He was interrogated earlier for one hour. A notice has been sent to him to appear before the investigation team for interrogation. Further action will be taken only against this interrogation, the police say in the development report submitted to the court.