In a shocking development, Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who had filed a case against rape-accused bishop, Franco Mulakkal, has been found dead in his room in a church at Bhogpur in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Father Kattuthara was found dead on Monday morning. There are reports that the 60-year-old priest was suffering age-related ailments, but many priests have alleged a foul play in his mysterious death.
Police said that the exact cause of his death will only be known after the post-mortem reports arrives.
Father Kattuthara had filed a case against Franco Mulakkal in the nun-rape case. He had also alleged that he was subjected to torture by the Bishop and other church functionaries for taking a stand in the rape case.
The deceased’s brother Jose Kattuthara told Mathrubhumi website that he he suspected his brother had been killed for testifying against Franco Mulakkal.
Roman Catholic bishop Mulakkal was recently given a hero’s welcome after he was granted bail by the Kerala High Court. He was arrested in September for allegedly repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016.
The visuals of the rape accused priest being garlanded by his followers had evoked angry reactions on social media
What a country ? Still is it British rule ? Father Kuriakose, your sacrifice will not go in vain. https://t.co/6lekv8O9XN
— Manoj kumar Nileshwaram (@rajasleader) October 22, 2018
Big- Father Kuriakose, the priest who testified again Bishop Franco Mullakal in Rape case found dead.
What is happening?
— Ishkaran Singh Bhandari (@Ish_Bhandari) October 22, 2018
#CancelFrancoBail-Autopsy will find how Father Kuriakose died. Till the chargesheet is filed at least put Bishop Franco back in jail. The other witnesses are shaken and scared.
— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) October 22, 2018
Will there be any protest about the death of Father Kuriakose or the outrage machines have run out of oil?
— Soumyadipta (@Soumyadipta) October 22, 2018
Father Kuriakose, RIP.. if it’s suspicious death, its all bcoz of bishop & his people… court gave bishop bail for few days & eye witness is dead.. isnt court accountable too?? Who will now challenge court & their verdict?? sometime feel man-made court is influential too..
— Sakshi (@sakshi_tweetz) October 22, 2018
