Sister Abhaya Biography 
Sister Abhaya murder case was one of the most sensational cases of Kerala in the 1990s and even after two decades, its fire has not been put off. Though many of the puzzles of this murder mystery have been solved, the case has not closed yet in the slow procedure of Indian judiciary and the murderers are still to be punished! Sister Abhaya was a nun from Kottayam who was only 19 years old, when she was found dead in a well in St Pius X convent in Kottayam where she was staying. The incident took place long back on 27 March 1992. It’s widely believed that she was murdered under certain circumstances, when she witnessed two Knanaya priests - Thomas Kottur, Jose Puthurukkayil and a Knanaya nun - Sister Sephy in a “compromising position”, which resulted in her attack and murder. Prosecution has also alleged the same fact and the three were arrested in 2008.
Sister Abhaya was staying in the convent hostel. She was reported missing on the morning of 27 March 1992. As per eye witnesses, she was last seen at 4am when she went to kitchen to drink water. Fridge door was open and one of her slippers was found under the fridge. The other slipper was found near hostel well and very soon her body was found in the well. Her body was sent for a post-mortem, where bruises were found on her body, though no sexual assault. Despite having strong evidence of a murder, the case was concluded a drowning and a suicide. Thus it was crystal clear that some influential hands behind are trying to close the chapter and destroy the evidences, even manipulating the reports, which later found to be true years later!
The nuns of the hostel protested against this and they submitted a new petition asking CBI to investigate on this matter. Although the CBI concluded that Abhaya was murdered after conducting a dummy test, they requested closure of the case for lack of evidence. The request was rejected by the courts and a series of investigations were conducted till 2008 under different heads. Sixteen years later, on 19 November 2008, two priests and a nun were arrested by the CBI and they were accused of murder and destruction of evidence.
It was quite shocking to media and Kerala society when Narco analysis tests of the two priests and nun were aired on television channels. It could be seen in the videos, the accused accepting the crime and Sister Sephy admitted that she had relationship with both catholic priests. But very soon, the videos were taken off air as it’s against the fundamental rights of a citizen! A conditional bail was granted to the accused on 1 January 2009. A charge sheet was filed by CBI on 17 July 2009, charging the three accused with murder, destruction of evidence, and defamation.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 11, 2015
