Madatharuvi case refers to a murder in
Kerala,
India. The case involved the 1966 murder of a widow named Mariyakutty. A priest, Fr. Benedict Onamkulam, was convicted of the crime. Sessions court sentenced the priest to death but the Church
approached the high court and freed him.
His supporters claim that he knew the culprit, but he didn't break the seal of confession.
Prosecution
The prosecution alleged that the
Syro-Malabar Catholic
lat, Ecclesia Syrorum-Malabarensium mal, മലബാറിലെ സുറിയാനി സഭ
, native_name_lang=, image = St. Thomas' Cross (Chennai, St. Thomas Mount).jpg
, caption = The Mar Thoma Nasrani Sl ...
priest Fr. Benedict Onamkulam had killed Mariyakutty at the stream of
Madatharuvi
Madatharuvi is a stream that joins the Pampa River in Ranni, Kerala, Ranni. It consist of a series of waterfalls and rapids that pass through pristine tropical forests.
untouched by industries the water is pure and fresh with a few species of fres ...
, near
Ranni with the motive of ending their affair. Onamkulam was sentenced to death by the session court, however, the
High court of Kerala acquitted and freed him purely based on technical grounds dismissing circumstantial evidence in 1967.
The case has been so sensational in
Kerala that it inspired a number
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s.
It came into prominence in local media again in 2010 when the
Changanassery Bishop opened Fr. Benidict's tomb for prayers at
Athirampuzha.
Films
*
Mynatharuvi Kolakase
''Mynatharuvi Kolakase'' is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko. The film stars Sathyan, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Hari. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy.
The film was based on the Madat ...
(1967)
References
Murder in India
Crime in Kerala
1966 murders in India
{{Kerala-stub