Aishwarya Rathore-
Sister Lucy Kalappura stood in front of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday to defend her own case contesting her removal from the convent.
This is said to be the first time in Indian history that a nun has appeared in court without legal representation.
Sister Lucy pleaded, “I am a woman, a nun fighting for justice. It is important for my nunship that I continue to stay at this convent. I have been a nun for the past 39 years, do not throw me into the streets. I have nowhere else to go.”
Sister Lucy gained notoriety for her outspoken opposition to Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was accused of raping a nun. Her appeal against her removal from her congregation was rejected by the supreme appellate authority of the Catholic Church at the Vatican, last month.
Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan deferred rulings in the case, stating that she can only receive police protection if she leaves the convent.
The Court stated in an oral statement that she should not remain at the convent.
The Sister argued, “I have filed a complaint before the civil court in 2019 and I have an injunction order in my favour.”
When the Court reiterated that she could not get police protection if she remained at the convent, the petitioner argued that the Court may revoke the protection if it deems unfit, but may not order her to vacate the convent.
It was also argued that she had filed a complaint in a Munsiff Court against the eviction notice issued against her and sought permission to stay until the disposal of her suit by the Civil Court.
She stated, “If the civil court orders me to vacate, I will gladly comply. But don’t ask me to leave the convent until then. I’m merely urging that this Court wait until the civil court pronounces its verdict.”
In the petition seeking police protection, the Court had stated that it would not look into her right to extend her residence at the convent. However, it made the following observation in an oral statement:
“Try to understand, this is for your own safety. You have made serious allegations against the vicar in your petition. You have admitted yourself that you are subjected to ill-treatment at the convent. This will only depreciate if you continue to stay at the convent any longer., especially since the Court cannot grant you protection. It’s better to move out where I can grant you police protection.”
Accordingly, the Court has put the proceedings on hold.
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