Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, the prime witness in the Kerala nun rape case who had testified against rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead in Hoshiarpur on Monday, 22 October.
Father Kuriakose was transferred to the church at Dasuya 15 days back, police said. He was staying in the premises of the church. He was dead in the premises of St Paul's School in Hoshiarpur.
His fellow brother-priests and family have alleged that he was killed for speaking against Bishop Mulakkal.
Cause of His Death Is yet to Be Ascertained
The investigation is underway and the police is yet to ascertain the exact cause of Father Kuriakose’s death. No injury marks were found on Father Kuriakose’s body, Dasuya DSP AR Sharma told ANI.
Prima facie, it appears to be a case of natural death. But we have still asked the board of doctors to conduct post-mortem. After the detailed examination by the board, we can ascertain the exact cause of death. For now, the investigation is open.J Elanchezhian, SSP, Hoshiarpur
Police Trying to Hide Something, Claim Father’s Relatives
The priest’s family has filed a complaint with the Alappuzha Police, seeking an inquiry into his death. Father Kuriakose Kattuthara’s brother Jose Kurian said that he has “no faith” in the Punjab Police.
If they’re in such a hurry to conduct the post-mortem in Jalandhar, they want to hide something. They called me, his brother, and told me about his death. They said they’ll tell me the rest in person. If they’re refusing to discuss this, doesn’t it mean there’s something they’re trying to hide?Josh Kurian, Father Kuriakose’s brother
Foul Play Involved, Claims Rape Survivor Nun's Brother
The Kerala nun’s brother who has accused Franco Mulakkal of rape called Father Kuriakose’s death a “pre-planned murder.”
He (Father Kuriakose) was the first one to give a testimony against Bishop(Mulakkal). So his death has come as a shock to us. Ever since I heard of his death, it appears that there was some kind of foul play involved in his death. It looks like there was some kind of conspiracy in pressurising him mentally or physically.Rape Survivor’s brother
Bishop Mulakkal who was accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016, was arrested on 21 September.
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