Jalandhar, October 22: A Father who testified against Franco Mulakkal in the Kerala nun rape case was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Hoshiarpur on Monday. Father Kuriakose Kattuthara was a crucial witness in the case and had complained against Franco Mulakkal. His car was also vandalised. Father Kuriakose had been facing threats for speaking against Mulakkal.

"Father Kuriakose used to live at St. Paul's Church in Dasuya. He was found dead there. I have been informed that no injuries have been found on his body.It was found that he vomited over the bed. Blood pressure tablets were found at the spot. Investigation is underway," AR Sharma, DSP Dasuya, told news agency ANI. His family filed a complaint with Alappuzha police seeking inquiry into his death.

Father Kuriakose's death comes few days after Franco Mulakkal walked out of jail on conditional bail. Mulakkal, former Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, was arrested on charges of raping a nun repeatedly between 2014 and 2016. He was the first bishop in the country to be sent to jail on charges of rape. Will Co-operate with Investigation: Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

A nun from Kerala had said that Mulakkal raped her on several occasions between 2014 and 2016. The nun has even appealed to the Vatican seeking justice. She also marked the plea to 21 other high ranking authorities of the Roman Catholic Church in India. An FIR was registered against the Bishop, and a 114-page detailed statement was taken from the nun and other inmates of the convent.

Mulakkal, who was arrested on September 21, secured the bail with strict conditions that he should not enter Kerala, must surrender his passport and should appear before the police once in every two weeks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 12:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).