THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CBI special court here on Saturday completed the hearing proceedings in the discharge petitions filed by the three main accused in the Sister Abhaya murder case. Special judge J Nazar heard the arguments presented by the counsel of third accused Sister Sephy. The counsel contended there was no hard evidence or witness against his client and the allegation of murder was a mere illusion.
The investigators just adopted this theory to ‘frame’ a case against his client, the counsel contended.
Last week, the court had heard the argument of second accused Father Jose Poothrukkayil. The court had also heard the arguments presented by first accused Father Thomas Kottoor on February 15. The prosecution had strongly opposed the arguments presented by all the three accused stating there was ample evidence to prove their involvement in the case. The judge has posted the next hearing in the case for Tuesday.
The hearing of the discharge pleas commenced before the court a week ago after the judge rapped the accused for holding up the procedure indefinitely. The three accused - Fr Kottoor, Fr Poothrikkayil and Sr Sephy - sought more time to present their arguments on the petition filed by them nearly seven years ago. Last month, former Crime Branch SP K T Michael, who led the preliminary investigation in the case, was also arraigned as an accused. The CBI court had issued an order to add Michael as the fourth accused for alleged destruction of evidence. Abhaya was found dead at the St Pius X Convent in Kottayam on March 27, 1992.