More arrests expected in seminary murder case

Police last Friday arrested a Carmelite priest, a Bangalore archdiocesan priest and layperson linking them to the murder of Father K. J Thomas.

File photo of Fr. K.J. Thomas (Photo courtesy: facebook)

Bangalore:  A senior police official investigating the murder of a seminary rector says there will be more arrests in the case in addition to last week's arrests of two priests and a layperson.

Police last Friday arrested a Carmelite priest, a Bangalore archdiocesan priest and layperson linking them to the murder of Father K. J Thomas, whose body was found just outside his bedroom in St. Peter's seminary on April 1 morning last year.

"There will be more arrests. We are continuing the investigation," the officer told ucanews.com.

Police sources said they have not filed charges on the arrested--Father Elias Daniel OCD, parish priest Father William Patrick of from Kengeri, and layperson Peter. The charge sheet will be filed only after more arrests are made and evidences are established, the officer said.

A team of investigators continues to work to establish findings linking the murder to the arrested people and their accomplices. Investigators believe more people are directly and indirectly involved "in the conspiracy, planning and execution of the crime. "

The victim was a morally upright and austere priest and investigation need to establish beyond doubt the reasons for fatally attacking him.

The officer said since it is "very sensitive case" they are careful not to offend the sensibilities of the people by making statements and rash actions. "There will be more arrests. I can't give more details now."

The police are working hard to make foolproof case. "We want a case that will stand the prosecution and court of law."

Meanwhile, some members of the Karnataka Kannada Priests' Association has alleged that police conducted the inquiry with little knowledge of how church institutions function, making the investigation questionable.

They accused police of arresting the two priests based on circumstantial evidence and loose statements, reported the Times of India.

However police maintain that the information they passed on the press was only partial and they have more evidences to link the arrested to the crime.