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Witness in priest's murder dies in police custody

A cook who worked for murdered Roman Catholic priest George Kuzhikandam has died mysteriously in police custody near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.

John Dayal, a spokesman for the United Christian Forum, has alleged that Vijay Ekka, a helper employed by Brother Kuzhikandam, was killed by the police.

Brother Kuzhikandam was found murdered on June 7 in Mathura and Ekka was a key witness in the case.

Ekka, 23, who lived close to Brother Kuzhikandam's house, was taken to Narauli police station for interrogation a few days back.

However, when Ekka's colleagues went to the police station today with his breakfast, they were told that he had committed suicide.

Ekka's colleagues said he was taken in for interrogation by station officer Sunil Kumar Sharma, who was recently suspended in connection with Brother Kuzhikandam's murder.

An FIR under sections 302 (murder) and 342 have been filed against officials attached to the Narauli police station.

''This custody death casts a shadow on the investigations into Brother George's murder and poses several crucial questions. It is a clear case of murder. How can a suspended police officer take away a crucial eyewitness in a murder case," Dayal said.

The United Christian Forum and the All India Christian Council have called upon the National Human Rights Commission to carry out an enquiry into the custodial death.

Ekka, a native of Raigarh district in Madhya Pradesh, is survived by his wife, who is expecting his first child.

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