20 years on, Abhaya case eludes investigators

KOTTAYAM: Mystery still shrouds the ‘rarest of the rare’ cases, which is past its twentieth year. For the past two decades, the Abhaya case has been  active in the public sphere.But the ‘three-phased’ CBI inquiry could not find any valid evidence in the case  so far. Though multiple probes were conducted in the case, none of the agencies could resolve the mystery behind the murder.  The CBI has been probing the issue for the past 19 years. The CBI had closed the case three times by filing  final reports, but the case refused to die down. It was an Express report, which led to the third phase of the probe into the death of  the nun, who was an inmate of the Pius X Convent in Kottayam.The Express report had stated that the original chemical examination report of Sister Abhaya was tampered with, which prompted the CBI to reinvestigate the case. That eventually led to the arrest of the accused - Fr Jose Poothrukkayil, Fr Thomas M Kottoor and Sister Sephi.The CBI in its fourth phase of inquiry filed final chargesheets against the three on July 17, 2009.  “The CBI had stated in the chargesheet that Abhaya’s roommate Sister Sherly, two kitchen staff at Pius X  Convent Achamma and Thresyamma and retired Crime Branch SP K T Michael could provide vital evidence in the case. However, even after two-and-a-half years, no further step in this regard has been taken,” said Jomon Puthenpurackal, who was behind keeping  the case alive.In the chargesheet submitted by CBI SP Nandakumaran Nair, it  was clearly stated that an inquiry should be conducted in this regard.  Though narco analysis tests on the four people were not viable, the CBI officer had suggested other modes of investigation to find the truth. But no steps were  taken in this regard so far, said Jomon.He also alleged that the CBI had not appointed a  special prosecutor in such a controversial case. “I have already filed a request to the CBI Joint Director to appoint a special prosecutor who is experienced in handling murder cases. The CBI did not conduct the hearing of the 133 witnesses in the case,” said Jomon. He also expressed doubts that the CBI may be deliberately delaying the case as  the witnesses are already aged. That could help the culprits indirectly, he  added.