Catholic Priest Murdered In Dehra Dun

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 22, 2008, 16.00 Hrs (CBCI News):

Fr. Samuel Francis (55) popularly known as Sadhu Astya, a priest belonging to the diocese of Meerut and founder director of Samarpanalaya Ashram was killed by unknown assassins. The body of Fr. Samuel with his hands and legs tied and face to the ground was found lying on the floor of the chapel of his ashram in Chota Rampur, 25 kilometers from Dehra Dun, Monday morning. Fr. Samuel Francis, a Punjabi was born and brought up in Meerut diocese. An alert was sounded after Fr. Samuel Francis was missing for the last two days. His body was discovered when the diocesan authorities and priests came to the Ashram to search for him.

The maid of the Ashram, a young woman was also murdered in the kitchen of the Ashram. One of the employees of the Ashram is suspected to have committed both the murders. The police have registered a case and the bodies are taken for post mortem.