A priest who had filed a complaint against Bishop Franco Mulakkal was found dead in Jalandhar on Monday morning.

60-year-old father Kuriakose Kattuthara was found dead at St. Mary’s Church in Dasuya in Jalandhar. The cause of his death has not been identified. He had been suffering from age-related ailments. However, a group of priests have alleged conspiracy behind the death. The cause of death will be identified in the post-mortem.

Fr Kuriakose was among those who had had filed a complaint against Franco Mulakkal in the nun abuse case. Kuriakose’s brother Jose Kattuthara told media that his brother was murdered for giving statement against Franco Mulakkal. He was frequently threatened by the church officials. Bishop who was in Kerala jail following his arrest got bail last week and has since returned to Jalandhar . The Kerala High Court had at the time of granting his bail ordered the bishop to be present before the investigating officer once in two weeks. The bishop has also been directed to surrender his passport to the court and he has been forbidden from entering Kerala. He had received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Jalandhar on October 17, with supporters showering him with rose petals and garlanding him.