Father Kuriakose’s death: Family writes to Kerala CM, seeks CBI probe

JALANDHAR : Over a month after father Kuriakose Kattuthara was found dead in his room at a Dasuya church in Hoshiarpur district, his family members have submitted a letter with Kerala chief minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or some other independent investigating agency.

A native of Kerala’s Alleppey, 61-year-old Kuriakose, had testified against former bishop Franco Mulakkal, who was accused of raping a nun.

In the petition, Kuriakose’s brothers, including Jose Kurian and K Joy, stated that he was the prime witness who gave testimony against bishop Franco and gave an interview in a news channel.

“Bishop Franco went to his parish (Bhogpur in Punjab) without informing my brother and instigated people against him. However, our brother was not there,” they alleged, adding that the bishop’s visit was suspicious. We suspect that the close aides and some more priests are involved in plotting against our brother which led to his mysterious death, the letter read.

The letter also read that bishop Franco used to torture Kuriakose by transfers or by relieving him from duties.

‘HE KNEW ABOUT FIN MISMANAGEMENT’

“Father Kuriakose knew most of the financial matters of the diocese and had many proofs of mismanagement against bishop Franco, which were among many reasons to eliminate our brother,” it stated.

The letter further stated that Kuriakose was transferred to Dasuya without any responsibilities under junior priest James Ullattil who was a staunch supporter of bishop Franco.

“After the interview, Kuriakose had told us that he did not know how many days more he would be alive. His fear increased when Franco got bail and was given a grand welcome in Jalandhar. We were informed about Kuriakose’s death in a very ordinary and unusual manner. Moreover, they had started conducting post-mortem even when we didn’t reach there. When we objected and suspected some foul play, the post-mortem was suspended till our arrival,” the brothers said.

Claiming that the death was not natural, Kuriakose’s brothers said, “The death was preplanned and the mystery will be solved only when an efficient investigating agency like Central Bureau of Investigation will probe the case.”

After the letter was forwarded to the Kerala director general of police (DGP) Lok Nath Behera by the state CM, the police chief wrote a letter to Punjab DGP Suresh Arora asking him to conduct a proper, fair and impartial inquiry into the matter.

AUTOPSY REPORT STILL AWAITED

Even as Kuriakose’s death (October 22) had become a prominent case after it hit the national headlines, the Hoshiarpur health and police authorities are yet to receive the autopsy report.

Preliminary reports had suggested that he could have died of cardiac arrest or a brain haemorrhage.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Balwinder Singh, station house officer (additional charge), Dasuya, said that despite repeated reminders to forensic lab authorities, they have not received the report.

“We have got a reply that they are clearing the 2017 cases and report of Kuriakose will take time,” he said.

Kuriakose knew most of financial matters of the diocese and had many proofs of mismanagement against bishop Franco, which were among the reasons to eliminate him. Letter by Kuriakose’s brothers stated