A seminary in southern India this week has suspended four of its priests as police continue their investigations into the killing of its rector.
“This is to help the investigation, as far I know,” Father A Rayappan, president of St Peter’s Institute, told ucanews.com today.
The St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore has suspended spiritual director Father G Joseph, former rector Father Sebastian Periyannan, Registrar and Church history professor Father Lourd Prasad and procurator Father Patrick Xavier.
Police investigating the April 1 murder of the rector, Father K J Thomas, asked the seminary on August 3 to remove the four staff members from the seminary building “to help their investigation.”
A senior investigator confirmed the request, saying all four were at the seminary on the night of the killing.
The move comes two weeks after police subjected Father Xavier to a narco-analysis test — a form of questioning where the subject is placed into a chemically induced hypnotic state.
The rector’s body was found lying in a pool of blood in a corridor near his room, which was next to Father Xavier’s.
Sources
Image: UCAN India