The priest who filed a complaint against Franco Mulakkal, the bishop accused of raping a nun multiple times during trips to Kerala, was found dead on Monday.
One of the key witness’ – Kuriakose Kattuthara’s – body was found in Daswa, near Jalandhar in northern Punjab. Mulakkal, who denies the charges against him, was recently relieved of his duties at the Jalandhar Diocese.
He said he and others were on their way to file a complaint, and that they would travel to Jalandhar later.
He used to live at St. Paul’s Church in Dasuya. He was found dead there. He was 62. The matter will be investigated. I have been informed that no injuries have been found: AR Sharma, DSP Dasuya, on Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, witness in Kerala nun rape case, found dead pic.twitter.com/jQcMPqlEkf
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2018
The case so far
- Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 after being accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016.
- He was granted conditional bail on October 15, and was welcomed with rose petals in Jalandhar a few days later.
- The conditions of his bail are that he should surrender his passport, and that he can’t enter Kerala except to report to an investigating officer.
- Mulakkal, 54, has insisted that his accuser levelled the allegations as the Catholic order rejected her demand for favours.
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