KOCHI: “He always told us that once Franco gets out on bail, his life would be in danger. He even feared that his phones were tapped and he was monitored all along by Franco’s men,” said Jose Kattuthara, brother of Fr Kuriakose Kattuthura who was found dead at St. Mary’s Church in Dasuya, Jalandhar, on Monday morning.
Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara had given a statement to the police against the former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mullackal, who was just released on conditional bail in the case of allegedly raping a nun. “He had given us clear indications to suspect that it is a plotted murder,” Jose said.
Jose Kattuthara told ‘Express’ that Fr Micheal Anikuzhikatil from Jalandhar telephoned the family at 11 am on Monday to inform the death of his brother. According to Jose, Micheal Anikuzhikatil is one of the right-hand men of Franco, who is currently in Jalandhar after being released on bail last week. “The phone call itself was weird. Micheal only said that Father Kuriakose was dead on Sunday. Rather than answering our queries, he just cut the call,” said Jose.
Whenever he called his family, Fr Kuriakose used to share his fears regarding his involvement in Franco’s case. Fr Kuriakose, who was a vocational teacher at the Jalandhar diocese, had taught the survivor nun and the other nuns who protested for the arrest of Franco. “He was not safe at Jalandhar. Due to his fears he had to shift his places of stay several times. He could not call often due to his fear, but he always stood for the truth,” Jose added. “Franco’s power and influence will increase the number of deaths. His money and power can twist witnesses’ statements and truths regarding the nun’s rape case. Though fears were expressed, we never thought that he would actually murder him,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Save Our Sisters (SOS) Action Council said that they are not shocked by the incident. “We have always expressed our fears about his power and influence. If he was set free, more murders will take place and the life of the nuns will also be in danger. The Council has warned everyone earlier about the grim situation,” said SOS Action Council Convener Augustine Vattoly.
Complaint lodged
Alleging mystery behind the death of Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara, his brother Jose Kattuthara has lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister, Director General of Police (DGP), and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Alappuzha. He has also sought a re-postmortem of the body in Kerala. “Following our complaint, the Jalandhar police have stopped the post-mortem examination of his body,” Jose said.
‘We are not safe’
The news of Fr Kuriakose’s death has come as a shock for the five nuns who had staged the protest demanding the arrest of Bishop Franco. “Fr Kuriakose had taught us, including the victim. He had been supporting us from day one of our protests. He encouraged us in our fight for justice. It is really disheartening to hear the news about his demise,” said one of the five nuns who staged the protest. She also expressed fear over their safety inside St Francis Mission House, Kuravilangad, where they are presently staying. “We are not safe inside the convent. The four sisters, including the Mother Superior, are supporters of Franco and now that he is free we do not know what awaits us in future,” she said.
SOS writes to CM
Kochi: In an open letter, Save our Sisters (SOS) action council has requested the Chief Minister to set up a special court and appoint a special prosecutor to expedite the prosecution in the nun-rape case. SOS said various false accusation against the survivor and her colleagues are being propagated by public personalities such as P C George. The council also believes the accused is trying to influence the witnesses and manipulate evidence to get himself acquitted and that puts the life of the nuns at risk.