Priest who spoke against Jalandhar Bishop Mulakkal in nun rape case found dead, family alleges foul play
Senior priest Father Kuriakose Kattuthara who had testified against former Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal accused of raping a nun, was found dead Monday morning.
Kattuthara was found dead in a room at the St. Mary’s Church complex in Dasuya town in Hoshiarpur, around 180 km from state capital Chandigarh. He was under the Jalandhar diocese which was headed by Mulakkal, according to news agency IANS.
The Punjab Police said a probe is underway into the 67-year-old priest’s death.
“It was found that he vomited over the bed. Blood pressure tablets were found at the spot. Investigation is underway. In our notice, no security was provided to him,” ANI quoted A R Sharma, deputy superintendent of police of Dasuya , as saying.
His family and supporters of the nun, however, said they suspect foul play.
His brother Jose Kattuthara told local news channels that church authorities from Jalandhar called him this morning and informed him that his brother was found dead in his room which was locked from inside. Church officials reportedly told the priest’s brother that he may have died of a heart attack.