The Punjab police on Tuesday, 23 October, filed a case of unnatural death, a day after Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was found dead in Hoshiarpur, reported CNN-News18.
Father Kuriakose was one of the prime witnesses who had testified against rape accused Franco Mulakkal.
On Monday, the priest’s family has filed a complaint with the Alappuzha Police, seeking an inquiry into his death.
- The cause of death is yet to be known
- His fellow brother-priests and family have alleged that he was killed for speaking against Mulakkal
- Mulakkal was arrested on 21 September after being accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016
Bishop Mulakkal Reduced Allowance to Rs 500, Claims Dead Priest’s Brother
Kuriakose Kattuthara’s case is one of unnatural death, his family claimed on Monday.
The Indian Express quoted a complaint filed by Kattuthara’s younger brother Jose Kurian stating that Kattuthara’s monthly compensation was reduced to Rs 500, allegedly at the behest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, and that he was divested of all powers despite being the seniormost priest in the church.
Mulakkal headed the diocese before he stepped aside last month.
Mortal Remains of Kuriakose Brought to Jalandhar Cant.
The mortal remains of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was brought to church at Jalandhar Cantonment on Tuesday, 22 October.
Father Kuriakose's Autopsy Recorded on Video
The autopsy of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was conducted under the supervision of four doctors and recorded with a video camera to ensure a clean report, confirmed Jose Kattuthara, brother of the late priest, speaking to The News Minute.
Punjab Police Registers Unnatural Death Case
The Punjab police on Tuesday, 23 October, filed a case of unnatural death, a day after Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was found dead in Hoshiarpur.
“His (Father Kuriakose) brother’s statement has been recorded, postmortem of the body is underway, the case is being dealt with under Section 174 of CrPc. After the postmortem, the body will be given to the family.”SHO Jagdish Raj