Mangalore: CBI Begins Probe into Fr Mukalel’s Mysterious Death
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Oct 19: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team comprising a deputy superintendent of police and four circle inspectors, came to the city on Tuesday October 18, and took over files relating to the investigation into the death of Fr Mukalel from the police department.
Fr Mukalel, a priest of Kadaba Kutruppady St Mary’s church within Beltangady diocese, had lost his life under suspicious circumstances on the night of July 29, 2009. The body of the priest was found lying sans clothes by the side of his motor bike at Totattady Kundadi the next morning.
Post mortem was conducted on the body in the city as well as in the native place of the priest. The policemen, while admitting that it was a case of unnatural death, had tried to close the case, although there were several loose ends left to be put together.
Rumours of the priest’s relationship with a student of a nursing college had also made the rounds thereafter. After an advocate approached the state High Court seeking CBI inquiry into the above death, the High Court had recommended CBI inquiry.
While it is known that the priest had visited Charmadi Muddudi to attend the funeral of a person named Mathai there, and left after having dinner at Charmadi convent at around 9.30 pm, no clues are available as to why he deviated from his route and went to Totattady instead of Kadaba. Fr Mukkalel, who was the son of Sebastian and Rosamma couple from Velladu village in Kannur district and ordained through Talassery archdiocese, had been serving Beltangady diocese since 1999.