Kochi: The High Court has stayed the trial of the Sister Abhaya case for two weeks. The order was passed by Justice VG Arun on a petition filed by the accused Sister Sefi and Fr. Thomas Kottur, who said the COVID situation was serious and the trial should stay.
Defendants said that there were more COVID cases in Thiruvanathapuram and there was no accommodation there and it was difficult to continue the trial. The petitioners are above 70 years of age. The lawyers were over 65 years of age and that many would have to leave on quarantine, the petition said.
The court expressed concern that the investigating officers, who are witnesses in the case, can attend the trial. The case is set to consider on 30.