Kuriakose Kattuthara aged 62 was taken to the hospital but was declared brought dead. Kuriakose had earlier given his statement against the accused bishop to Kerala Police as an independent witness and according to sources privy to information, was getting calls to withdraw his statement. He had also told media persons recently that he was under pressure.
He feared for his life, dead priest’s brother writes to Kerala CM. The family of the priest, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Jalandhar on Monday and was a witness in the Kerala nun rape case, has claimed that he was being repeatedly threatened on behalf of the accused bishop.
In a letter to the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, the brother of Kuriakose Kattuthara said that there was a “deliberate attempt from the part of the bishop [Bishop Franco Mulakkal], his relatives and associates to persuade the witnesses in this case, either through undue influence or threatening (sic)”. The brother said that Father Kuriakose had also told him about the threats and hooliganism he was facing and feared for his life.
The brother of the Kerala nun, who has accused Franco Mulakkal of rape, has also called this a pre-planned murder. “Father Kuriakose Kattuthara had said that his life was under threat. An investigation should be conducted into his death. All witnesses should be given police protection,” he said.
However, police officers and a cousin of the dead priest have said that the death appears to be natural as he was a heart patient.
“He was a heart patient. I am also a medical professional and can say it was hundred and one percent a cardiac arrest. He might be under pressure,” said Rena, the priest’s cousin.
The news of the death comes just seven days after the accused bishop, who denies the charges against him, was granted conditional bail on October 15. He was recently also relieved of his duties at the Jalandhar Diocese. Franco Mulakkal, 54, allegedly raped a nun multiple times during official visits to Kerala. He has denied the charges and insists that she levelled the accusations as the Catholic order rejected her demand for favours.
