Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 17: The High Court (HC) has recommended for handing over investigation relating to the mysterious death of Fr James Mukalel, priest of Kadaba Kutruppady church under Beltangady diocese, to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

It may be recalled that Fr Mukalel had left Charmadi by motor bike on July 29, 2009 night to reach his church. However, his naked body was found lying by the side of his motor bike on the road to Totattady Kundadi, which was away from his normal route, the next day.  After furious demands for detailed investigation initially from various quarters, the Dakshina Kannada policemen had tried to give the case a decent burial, by stating that the post mortem report had found no evidence of poisoning, bodily injuries or other unnatural causes for the priest’s death. They had concluded that his death had been caused by natural causes. However, a number of questions had remained unanswered.

Prince Issac, who has been functioning as an advocate in the case, informed at a press conference here, that Fr Mukalel had died under suspicious circumstances, and that the policemen had closed the case by just citing that it was an unnatural death. He said that the second post mortem result has proved beyond doubt that this claim was wrong. He explained that the HC had taken these facts into consideration before recommending CBI investigation.

In addition to Prince, the press conference was also attended by Sebastian Mukulel and Rosamma. Sebastian and Rosamma, parents of Fr James Mukulel and residents of Moolakkal in Kannur district, demanded in a press conference conducted at Kasargod on Tuesday, for an in-depth investigation into the mysterious death of their son.