The CBI on Friday filed a chargesheet against two catholic priests and a nun in the Sister Abhaya murder case of 1992.
Father Thomas Kottoor, Father Jose Poothrikayil, Sister Sephy have been charged under section 302 (murder), section 201 (destruction of evidence) and 499 (defamation).
In the chargesheet submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakaulam, a trespass case has also been filed against Kottur and Puthrikayil, the first and second accused respectively. The two accused had trespassed into the convent with the intention to kill Abhaya, CBI stated.
CBI DSP Nandakumar Nair filed the final report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, KA Baby this evening.
CBI had arrested Kottur, Puthrikayil and Sephy in November 20 last year, 16 years after the murder. The three accused are out on bail now.
The chargesheet said chappals and veil of Abhaya had been found in the kitchen and wash area on the cellar floor of the St Pius convent in Kottayam, where Sephy was the sole occupant.The accused hit Abhaya on the head with sickle and when she fell unconscious threw her body into the well of the convent to show it was a case of suicide, it said.
Catholic church has reacted cautiously to the chargesheet. Catholic church spokesperson, Father Paul Thelekat told PTI "we have to see the charges and evidence produced by the CBI against the two priests and nun. Since CBI had arrested the three accused, it was their duty to file chargesheet. Nothing more should be read into it", he said.
{{/usCountry}}Catholic church has reacted cautiously to the chargesheet. Catholic church spokesperson, Father Paul Thelekat told PTI "we have to see the charges and evidence produced by the CBI against the two priests and nun. Since CBI had arrested the three accused, it was their duty to file chargesheet. Nothing more should be read into it", he said.
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