Sister Abhaya Case: CBI Court Acquits One, Rejects Petition Of Two Others

In a significant development in the Sister Abhaya murder case, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court yesterday (7 March) acquitted Father Jose Poothrukkayil due to lack of evidence while rejecting the petitions of two others involved in the case, reports The New Indian Express. The court observed that there was no substantial evidence to prove that Poothrukkayil visited the convent on the day of the murder.

The court however, rejected the petitions of Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy. The crime branch and CBI in its initial investigations had ruled the case a suicide.

Sister Abhaya’s body was found on 27 March 1992 at the St Pius convent in Kottayam. As per the CBI, on the day of the crime, the two priests entered the convent through the kitchen and were engaged in an illicit relationship with Sister Sephy, which was witnessed by Abhaya. She was killed to hide the matter and her body was left at the convent’s well.

Sixteen years later, the trio were arrested after circumstantial evidence was found and admitted to the crime during a narco test, although it is not admissible in court.