The preliminary report of the post-mortem of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was a prime witness against Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the Kerala nun rape case has found no internal external injury marks on the body. The Catholic priest was “mysteriously” found dead on Monday.
The entire process of post-mortem was video graphed. Dr Devinder Puri, the senior medical officer of the civil hospital in Jalandhar in Punjab said a panel of 4 doctors conducted the post-mortem. Dr Puri said while doctors found no external or internal injury marks on the body, the cause of death will be known once the viscera report comes.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case under section 174 of the CrPC to probe the matter for death under suspicious circumstances or suicide. The body of the Catholic priest will be flown to Kerala today. Burial is likely to take place on Thursday, the family said.
Jose Kurian, the younger brother of the deceased priest, on Tuesday gave a two-page statement to the Punjab police alleging that his brother was tortured and harassed by the rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Jalandhar diocese.
Jose alleged that the monthly compensation of his priest brother was reduced from Rs 5000 to Rs 500 at the behest of the Bishop. He said his brother paid the price for deposing against the Bishop in the case of rape of the nun.
According to sources, priest Kuriakose was suffering from hypertension and was highly diabetic. The family of the deceased said they will insist on another post-mortem in Kerala in case they are not satisfied. The body of 67-year old Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was found in his room in St. Mary's Church in Dasuya in Jalandhar a couple of days ago.
The rape accused Bishop is currently out on bail granted by the Kerala High Court. The diocese said that the ‘Bishop has no connection with the death of Father Kattuthara as there was no personal enmity between them.
A cook in the church premises first noticed something suspicious when Kuttuthara did not come out of his room this morning as usual. He was not there for breakfast, which is when the Church officials were informed.
The door was broken. The father lay motionless. He was rushed to the civil hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.