No injury marks on Father's body, say doctors

The post-mortem report 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. Kattuthara died under suspicious circumstances on Monday.

His family members brought his body to Kerala on Wednesday.

The entire process of the autopsy was conducted in-camera. Dr Devinder Puri, the senior medical officer of the civil hospital in Jalandhar, Punjab, said a panel of four 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.

The police have registered a case under section 174 of the CrPC to probe the matter for death under suspicious circumstances or suicide. Kattuthara's remains are likely to be buried on Thursday, his family said.

The brother of the nun who had alleged Franco of raping her - also a priest in an Amritsar church - has expressed fears that his life too, is in danger.

Meanwhile, 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 rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal. Jose alleged that the monthly compensation of his brother was reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 500 at the behest of the Bishop.

According to sources, Kattuthara 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 the 67-year old priest was found in his room at St Mary's Church in Dasuya, Jalandhar, on Monday.

A cook at the church found it suspicious when on Monday morning Kuttuthara did not come out of his room. He informed church officials. Later when they broke the door of Kuttuthara's room, they found him lying motionless. He was rushed to the civil hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.