Angamaly (Kerala): A 52-year-old Catholic priest was stabbed to death by his former Church sexton while taking part in a pilgrimage here on Thursday, March 1. However, in a brisk operation the cops were able to nab the accused on Friday, March 2.
Fr. Xavier Thelekat, who was attached to the Angamaly diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and was the rector of the Kuruishmala Church near here, was attacked and killed by his former sexton, Jomy, an officer of the church charged with maintenance of its buildings and the graveyard.
The police with the help of locals had launched a search into the forest and on March 2 afternoon, a visibly tired Jomy was spotted in the forests. He was taken into the police custody.
According to the Church spokesperson Jimmy, the incident took place at the sixth sector of the pilgrimage around 10.45 am, when the sexton suddenly came in front of the priest and following an argument, stabbed Thelekat in a secluded place and feld the scene.
Sources say, Thelekat had fired Jomy three months ago. Jomy had approached Thelekat a few times thereafter, requesting to be reinstated. However, the priest was not keen to take him back.
Thelekat was stabbed in the leg. He was bleeding profusely and although he was rushed to a hospital, he passed away.
The accused will be interrogated and produced before a magistrate on Friday or Saturday.
