The two suspects in the murder case of Sister Abhaya in Kerala were found guilty by a special CBI judge. The court fined Father Thomas Kottur and Sister Sephy after a long legal battle of more than 28 years.
The penalty will be pronounced on Wednesday. On 7 March 1992, Sister Abhaya, 21, was found dead in the well of the Holy X Convent in Kottayam. The case was originally written off as a suicide case by the local police and the Crime Branch. The case was referred to CBI under pressure from the Intervention Committee.
The special court of the CBI in Thiruvanathapuram has now confirmed that Father Thomas Kottur and Sister Sephy are accused in the case. Thomas was charged with murder (Section 302 of the IPC), Loss of Evidence. Sephy has been charged under Sections 302 and 201.
Jomon Puthenpuraykkal, a social activist and leader of the 1993 Intervention Committee, said he was pleased with the decision. “Today’s verdict is a victory for those who campaign for justice. It’s justice for Sister Abhaya. Her soul will rest in peace today. It’s also a message to those who think that with money or muscle power, justice can be derailed,” Jamon said.
The case has had many twists and turns as the investigation and litigation have been going on for years. Since the original inquiry was by CBI.
As the court insisted on a re-investigation, Father Thomas Kottur, Jose Puthrikayil and Sister Sephy were eventually arrested by the CBI.
The CBI found that Sister Abhaya had found Thomas Kottur and Sephy in a position of compromise on the morning of March 7 when the deceased entered the dining room to fetch water. Thomas Kottur hit Sister Abhaya with a fatal blow. T
Thomas, along with Jose and Sephy, threw her in the well of the convent when she died. Later in 2018, the second accused Jose Puthrikayil was acquitted by the CBI court. The case was built on the eyewitness account of a person named Raju, who was an alleged thief and was present at the convent while the crime was committed.
