Kerala Nun rape case: Fr. Kuriakose Kattuthara to be laid to rest today

Alappuzha: The body of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, 61, who was found dead in Jalandhar on Monday, will be laid to rest at his native place at Pallipuram near Cherthala on Thursday. The body was brought to Kochi by Wednesday evening and taken to Pallipuram at night.

The last rites will be held at St. Mary's Forane Church at 2.30 pm.

Father Kattuthara, who had given a statement against Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case, had claimed that he was harassed by his superior in the days preceding his death. Mr Jose Kurien, his brother, had alleged foul play in his death.

The doctors who conducted the autopsy said they had found no marks of injuries on the body. The cause of death will be revealed when the visceral report comes out. "The chemical analysis report will be available after three months and the histopathology report within one-and-a- half months," the doctors said

Father Kattuthara is the son of the late farmer K.E. Kurien and the late Kochuthresia Kurien of ward three of Chennam Pallippuram grama panchayat in Cherthala. He studied at St Mary's LP school, Srambikkal, Thycattussery, and SMS junior high school, Thycattussery. He joined SH minor seminary when he was 15 and when he completed the second year, he was taken to Jalandhar by a relative, who was a priest there.

Kuriakose Kattuthara has four brothers, Joy Kurian, Jose Kurian, George Kurian (all farmers), and Thomas Kurian, working in Muscat. George Kurian, his wife Rani and two sons live in the ancestral home of Kuriakose Kattuthara.