The family of a Catholic nun, whose body was found in a waste-water tank a month ago, has accused the police of trying to cover up what they believe is her murder.
Holy Cross Sister Mary Ancy was found dead in the tank at her convent near Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala state, on August 17.
After a preliminary autopsy, police said the 48-year-old nun had committed suicide due to depression.
Mathew Philip, the nun’s father, says the family thinks the police probe has been farcical and wants the case given to the central bureau of investigation (CBI), the federal investigative agency.
The state government has already recommended that the CBI take over the case,but it has not done so yet.
According to the nun’s brother, Josemon Mathew, the state police probe was “a cover up” to protect his sister’s killer. He said the family does not believe the nun jumped into the tank and she would not have been able to remove a heavy concrete slab covering the tank.
They also disputed the statements of some of the convent residents.
One nun said Sister Mary Ancy had told her on August 3 that she was worried about an allergy and a bump on her forehead.
But Sister Ancy’s family, who saw her three days later, claimed there was no bump.
Philip said yesterday he had met Kerala’s chief minister Oommen Chandy to demand a thorough investigation. He has also filed a petition in the Kerala high court to force the CBI to investigate the death.