KOCHI: A petition has been filed before the Kerala high court seeking a witness protection in the case over the alleged rape of a senior nun by bishop Franco Mulakkal The petition was filed by George Vattukulam president of Thrissur-based Malayalavedi . Though the same petitioner had approached the high court earlier demanding proper protection for witnesses, the court had disposed of the case on prosecution’s submission that adequate protection is being provided.Citing the unnatural death of a key witness ( Father Kuriakose Kattuthara ) soon after granting of bail to the bishop, the petitioner is seeking a witness protection for the remaining witnesses. As an interim measure, the court should ask the police to furnish information about the status of protection provided to the witnesses based on prosecution’s earlier submission.Though Jalandhar police have registered an FIR for unnatural death and an autopsy was conducted. The priest’s family strongly believes that the accused is involved in Father Kuriakose Kattuthara death case, the petitioner alleged.No effort was taken to provide protection to the prime witness even though there were reports detailing the threats to the life of the deceased priest, the petition said.The victim nun and other nuns who are witnesses fear for their safety. The police protection provided at the place of residence is only to monitor those coming from outside, the petition stated while citing the heckling of the nun when she went to participate in father Kuriakose’s funeral.