CHANDIGARH: Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who had deposed against rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, was found dead under mysterious circumstances near Jalandhar on Monday. The 62-year-old’s body was found in his room at St Paul’s Church in Dasuya after a cook noticed he didn’t show up for dinner on Sunday and for breakfast the next day.
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The cause of death is still unknown, and Kuriakose’s relatives allege a conspiracy. “The matter is being investigated. There were no injuries. As per initial investigation, it seems he vomited over the bed. We found blood pressure tablets on the table,” said Dasuya Deputy Superintendent of Police AR Sharma.
A postmortem will be conducted once the priest’s family arrives from Kerala. Kuriakose had alleged he was under pressure from church officials for backing the nuns who levelled rape allegations against Mulakkal.
Due to the fact that the room was locked from inside, the cook knocked and when there was no response he informed the four nuns who live within the compound and they in turn informed Father Libin who serves in another church in the in Mukerian.
“The cook had gone to his room to check on him after finding that he had not come either for breakfast and nor for the dinner previous night. The cook informed the nuns and they also knocked on his door and they found that there was no response from inside. They informed me and I immediately rushed to the place from Mukerian and reached Dasuya at 10.30 am then he broke open the door and found him lying motionless. We immediately rushed him to Civil hospital in Dasuya where he was declared brought dead,’’ said father Libin.
Kuriakose was fine till Sunday afternoon when he held mass before retiring to his room at 3 pm. Another priest living in the adjoining house was said to be away to Delhi. Sister Vianney of the school in Dasuya where the father was presently posted said that he was suffering from hypertension and high blood sugar.
Fr Libin added, “The viscera will be sent for examination which will throw light on the cause of the death.
We are waiting for his family to come from Kerala. After they reach here, postmortem will be conducted.”
Kuriakose Kattuthara had given a statement to the Kerala Police against Mulakkal and had supported the nuns who were demanding the bishop’s arrest. He was transferred by Bishop Franco to Dasuya in April to assist prayers on Sundays and holidays after being relieved from the office of parish priest at Bhogpur.
‘Feared for life’
“He always said once Franco got out on bail, his life would be in danger,” said the priest’s brother