Foul play suspected in death of Thoothukudi priest

According to sources, Kanagaraj (73), Head Priest at Pentecostal Church at Millerpuram in Thoothukudi, was found dead on Wednesday inside the church premises. Thoothukudi SIPCOT Police carried out inspection at the spot and booked the case as suspicious death. 

However, church workers are of the view that the priest could have been murdered and to support their claim they pointed out that there were injuries in his throat, lips and chest. They also alleged that cotton was placed in two spots in his throat to cover the injuries and there were rashes at his chest and lips, which according to them, are clear signs of murder. 

Singaraj, a senior lawyer who has his house near the church, said that he heard a loud noise from on Tuesday and in the morning he came to know that the father had died. The church workers also alleged that another priest Jacob could have been involved in the murder as he was unhappy some of the decisions of Kanagaraj in allocating funds. “Police officials too are trying to cover up the murder and close down the case by claiming that Kanagaraj had died of heart attack,” they alleged. 

But police sources refuted the allegations and claimed that the case can be altered only based on post-mortem report and not based on mere allegations. “Till then the case would be referred to only as suspicious death, claimed the sources.