*Date:12/08/2008* *URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081256420600.htm* ------------------------------ *Nun found hanging *
Staff Reporter KOLLAM: A 23-year-old nun of the Holy Cross order was found hanging dead from the ceiling fan inside her room at the Saint Mary's Convent in the Port area here on Monday evening. Police gave the identity of the nun as Sister Anoopa Mary. She is a native of Kanjiracode near here. The nun took the extreme step wearing her habit. On the basis of a note found from the habit, the police said it was a suicide. The inquest was prepared by a police team led by Kollam Dy.SP C.G. Suresh Kumar. The body will be handed over to the convent authorities and relatives after the autopsy on Tuesday. Nuns at the convent said that on Monday evening Sr. Anoopa Mary was missing at the dining room for tea. Though many called out for her there was no response. So they went searching to her room and found her hanging from the ceiling fan. They immediately informed the police, the nuns said. Sr. Anoopa had joined the order six years ago for spiritual preparation to become a nun. Two months ago she had made the profession of perpetual vows thereby getting formally admitted as a nun of the Holy Cross order. From the Pattathanam Holy Cross Convent she was transferred to the Saint Mary's Convent two months ago. At the Port convent she was working at a nursery school run by the convent. ** (c) Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu Team will be headed by Kollam Dy.SP C.G. Suresh Kumar Her father raises charge of sexual harassment ------------------------------ KOLLAM: Superintendent of Police M.R. Ajith Kumar has ordered a probe by a special police team into the suicide of Sister Anoopa Mary, 23, at Saint Mary's Convent here on Monday. The team will be headed by Kollam Deputy Superintendent of Police C.G. Suresh Kumar. Bishop of Kollam Stanley Roman, who welcomed the police probe, has ordered a probe by the diocese by constituting an inquiry commission headed by Vicar-General Paul Mullassery. Fr. George Ribeiro, public relations officer of the Bishop's House, said on Tuesday that the bishop had granted full powers to the commission for initiating action based on its findings. He said the Bishop's House would whole-heartedly welcome a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the case. Anoopa Mary, attached to the order of the Franciscan Sisters of Vimala Hridyaya (she was not from the order of the Holy Cross as reported in these columns on Tuesday), had taken her profession of perpetual vows only two months ago after five years of spiritual training in another convent of the same order. Allegations The probes have been ordered in the wake of allegations that the nun was forced to take the extreme step following mental and sexual harassment at the convent, where she was put up for the past two months. The allegation has been raised by her father, Papachan, who works as a cook at the Kollam Bishop's House. The police said a suicide note found from the nun did not specifically mention sexual harassment though serious mental harassment from the convent authorities had been mentioned. Mr. Suresh Kumar said that though Papachan's statement was recorded on Monday, he did not mention anything about sexual harassment then. Papachan contended that Anoopa Mary had mentioned it to his wife and elder daughter when she visited the house last time. However, his wife and daughter informed him about it only on Monday night. Mr. Suresh Kumar said a separate statement was taken from Papachan and his family members after the funeral. Tension Meanwhile, Anoopa's relatives refused to hand over the body to the convent authorities, who wanted the body to be buried in their own cemetery. But Papachan insisted that the body be laid to rest at the cemetery of their parish church at Kanjoracode near here. There was tension at the church since the parish priest was not present for the funeral rites. But soon he arrived and conducted the rituals. Education Minister M.A. Baby called on Papachan's family on Monday night and offered his condolences. ** (c) Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu -- 'Trust in God, but tie your camel first' - The Holy Prophet (pbuh) 'Knowledge is better than wealth, you have to look after your wealth, knowledge looks after you' - Imam Ali *** (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).'' [At-Tirmidhi].
