Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 18, 2018: The relatives of a young priest joined the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church to allege foul play in the mysterious death of a young priest a week ago.

Church members have demanded that the people responsible for the 34-year-old priest’s death be brought before justice.

It was presumed initially that Father Albin Varghese, the parish priest of the Vimala Hridaya Matha Church at Kavadithala in Thiruvananthapuram district, had committed suicide. He was found hanging in the parsonage attached to the church on Dec. 12 evening.

His brother Robin Varghese and vicar general of the Major Archdiocese Mathew Manakkarakkavil Cor Episcopa later met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and submitted a complaint stating that the priest had no reason to take his life. They sought a thorough investigation into the death.

Father Varghese had reached his room around 2 pm from a hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment following an accident. No one had seen the priest alive afterward.

A few members of the laity had reached the parsonage around 3 pm but they had found the main door locked from inside. According to the complaint submitted to the chief minister, a stranger then appeared behind a window and spoke to the visitors. He said that the priest was taking rest inside and would not meet them.

At 4:30 pm, a group of nuns reached the priest’s quarters with tea, but the door was again locked and they went back. However, 30 minutes later, the door was found open and the stranger earlier seen inside the building was missing, giving rise to suspicions.

When the police officers arrived the following morning to prepare the inquest and take the priest’s body for autopsy, parishioners and local people blocked them.

As they demanded the presence of senior police officers,the commissioner and others arrived. Senior forensic officials also reached the spot and collected evidence. The police have intensified the probe into the incident.

The church authorities stated that the probe has been satisfactory so far.

The funeral of the priest, son of Thevalappurath Varghese and Omana of Alakkuzhi in Kottarakkara, was held at the Malankara Catholic Church, Alakkuzhi.

Apart from his parents, the priest is survived by siblings Robin Varghese and Jassie Varghese.

(Manoramaonline.com)