THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The trial in the sensational Sister Abhaya murder case will enter a crucial phase on August 26 as the CBI Special Court has given the nod for examination of three witnesses listed by the investigating agency that day.Fr Thomas Kottoor and Sr Sephy are the first and third accused, respectively, who will stand trial.
Sr Lisieux, former Mother Superior of St Pious Xth Convent, Kottayam, is listed as the first witness, while Thomas, Abhaya’s father who died three years back, has been listed as the second witness. Abhaya Case Action Council convenor Jomon Puthenpurackal flayed the CBI for listing Thomas as a witness.
“The CBI counsel should have known that Thomas is no more. The defence counsel were aware of this fact but the CBI counsel was not. This is irresponsibility at its peak and reveals the lack of commitment from the part of CBI in giving justice to the victim,” Jomon said. K Sanal Kumar, CBI Special Court judge, also gave the nod to cross-examine the other witnesses from August 26.
The CBI had found that the 19-year-old sister affiliated with St Joseph’s Congregation was murdered after she happened to see Sr Sephy in a compromising position with Fr Kottoor and another priest, Fr Jose Poothrikkayil.