Nun and priest get bail in Sister Abhaya murder case | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Nun and priest get bail in Sister Abhaya murder case

By, Thiruvananthapuram
Jun 24, 2022 03:15 AM IST

Abhaya, 19, was found dead in a well at the Pious X Convent in Kerala’s Kottayam in March 1992 and was initially presumed to have died by suicide

The Kerala high court on Thursday granted bail to a Catholic priest and a nun who were sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of 19-year-old sister Abhaya, whose body was found inside a well at a convent in Kottayam in 1992.

 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Father Thomas Kotoor and sister Sefi were convicted and awarded life imprisonment by a special court here in 2020.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A division bench of Justices Vinod Chandran and C Jayachandran decided to suspend the punishment till it decides on the convicts’ petition challenging the verdict of the special court.

The court, however, directed the duo to appear before the investigating officer every Saturday for six months and furnish a surety of 5 lakh each. It also ordered them not to leave the state without permission.

After examining the trial court verdict, the bench said: “On a prima facie look at the evidence as pointed out by the defence, and not effectively countered by the prosecution, we cannot but release the two accused, as an interim measure, suspending their sentence till the disposal of the appeal.”

Abhaya’s body was found in a well at Pius X Convent in Kottayam in March 1992. She was presumed to have died by suicide before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which eventually took over the case, concluded that the nun was murdered.

The agency ruled that Abhaya was attacked and her body was dumped into the well after she allegedly witnessed an illicit relationship allegedly between a nun and two priests.

In 2009, Kottoor and Sefi were charged with murdered. The special court awarded them life imprisonment in 2020. Another accused, Father Jose Poothrukayi, was absolved of all the charges before the final trial.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On