AGENCIES / JALANDHAR
Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, one of the prime witnesses who had testified against rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead in Hoshiarpur on Monday, 22 October.
The priest’s family has filed a complaint with the Alappuzha Police, seeking an inquiry into his death.
According to reports, the body of 60-year-old Father Kuriakose, who was serving in a diocese school at Dasuya, was found from his house. The cause of the death is not known.
His family, who are in Kerala, have alleged a conspiracy behind his death and demanded that the post-mortem be postponed.
Father Kuriakose had deposed with Kerala Police against Bishop Mulakkal and had been aiding the complainant nun in the rape case.
He was transferred by Bishop Franco to Dasuya in April to assist prayers on Sundays and holidays after being relieved from the office of the parish priest at Bhogpur
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
Meanwhile, supporters of the rape victim urged the Kerala government to provide security to the complainant in view of the mysterious death of a key witness in the case.