Thiruvananthapuram: Justice for Abhaya after 28 years. The CBI Special Court has found the accused in the Abhaya murder case; Fr. Thomas M Kottur and Sister Sefi are guilty. The year-long trial in the Abhay murder case ended on December 10. Special CBI Court Judge K.S. Sanil Kumar will pronounce the verdict.
Sister Abhaya died on March 27, 1992. Kottayam West police and later the crime branch investigated but came to the conclusion that Abhaya had committed suicide.
The then Mother Superior Benicasia was seeking CBI inquiry in the case and sent a letter to the CM to uphold the dignity of the nun community when it was alleged that the church was protecting the accused. A letter was sent to the government requesting an inquiry.
Then the CBI took up the case. Until 1996, the CBI confirmed the Crime Branch investigation. The case was remanded to the CBI on the direction of the High Court later.
On November 18, 2008, the CBI A.S.P. Nandakumar Nair arrested the accused Fr. Thomas M. Kottur, Fr. Jose Puthrikayil, and Sister Sefi. Defendants were subjected to a digital fingerprint, polygraph, and narco-analysis tests. The trio filed a petition in the trial court seeking acquittal. The second accused, Fr. Jose Puthrikayil acquitted by the trial court. The court directed the other two to face trial. Defendants faced trial.
Investigating Officer Nandakumar Nair told the court that the whole case was about sex and murder. According to the CBI, the sister Abhaya was beaten by ax and thrown into the well and drowned to death.
49 witnesses were examined. Dozens of people changed their statements during the trial. After giving a secret statement before the magistrate, Sanju P. withdrew his statements. CBI files a case against Mathew and legal action against him has been initiated.
