Sister Abhaya Case :CBI Court Says Two Police Officers Destroyed Material Objects; Asks State Police Chief To Ensure That Such Misdeeds Don't Recur

The CBI Court, which convicted Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy in Sister Abhaya Murder, case observed that DySP K. Samuel and the then Superintendent of Police K.T.Michael, who initially investigated the case, were involved in the activities of destruction of the material objects in this case.

The Police Head of the state will take necessary steps to ensure that such misdeeds on the part of the police including Crime Branch does not occur in future, Judge K. Sanilkumar observed while parting with the judgment.

K. Samuel died during the course of investigation. KT Michael was made an accused in this case, but was discharged by the court last year.

The court observed that there is vital evidence in the case at hand to demonstrate beyond all reasonable doubt the hyperactive role of DySP K. Samuel in the fabricating of documents, in the destroying of documents, in the concocting of evidence, in the influencing of witnesses with a view to transform completely the direction of the case and falsely culminate the case in the artificial conclusion of the "unnatural death" of the unfortunate victim.

Special CBI Judge K Sanilkumar observed in the order as follows :

"I am compelled to record that it is clear from the evidence of PWs 15 to 20 and from Ext.P47 that DySP Sri. K. Samuel and the then Superintendent of Police Sri. K.T.Michael were involved in the activities of destruction of the material objects in this case. The Police Head of the state will take necessary steps to ensure that such misdeeds on the part of the police including Crime Branch does not occur in future. Forward a copy of this judgment to the State Police Head".

One of the crucial witness in this case Raju @ Adacka Raju, a thief who happened to be in the convent premises on the fateful night for the purposes of theft, was subjected to prolonged cruel and inhuman physical torture and mental torment by DySP Sri. K. Samuel under the instigation of Crime Branch SP, Sri. K.T. Michael, the court noted.

  "PW3 (Raju) was subjected to prolonged cruel and inhuman physical torture and mental torment by DySP Sri. K. Samuel under the instigation of Crime Branch SP, Sri. K.T. Michael; the same is clear from the evidence of PW3 and PW8. Further, it can be seen from Ext.P106 series of judgments that PW3 was falsely booked in a catena of cases and he was pressurized by DySP Sri. K. Samuel as per the direction and supervision of Crime Branch SP, Sri. K.T. Michael, to take the responsibility of the crime of the murder of Sister Abhaya.", the court said while taking note of the allegations made by prosecution.

Raju's testimony proved vital in linking Kotoor to the crime as he told the court that he had seen Kottoor and another man in the convent compound during the wee hours.

Yesterday, the Court had found Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy, a priest and nun of the Catholic Church respectively, guilty of murder in the case.  They have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Sister Abhaya Case : 17 Circumstances Which Led CBI Court To Convict Father Thomas Kottoor & Sister Sephy

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