Unable to trace old files on Sister Abhaya, says CBI
The destruction of material evidence was of great significance as the case had no eyewitnesses
Kochi: The CBI on Monday told the Kerala High Court that the agency was unable to trace the additional records and old files from the Kottayam sub-divisional magistrate’s office in a case relating to the destruction of evidence in the Sister Abhaya murder case.
It said it had completed the investigation into the case and would submit the final report before the CBI special court before June 30.
The High Court had asked the CBI to continue with the investigation into the Abhaya murder case after social activist Jomon Puthenpurackal had moved it saying former superintendent of police K.T. Michael, who investigated the case first, was instrumental in destroying the pieces of material evidence, including personal clothing recovered from Sr Abhaya’s body, a plastic bottle, a pair of lady’s slippers and a white veil.
They were produced before the SDM's court, Kottayam, but were destroyed hastily on the basis of a note prepared by the clerk of SDM court on July 7, 2003, without handing them over to the CBI, the petition had stated.
The CBI said it examined 48 persons during the investigation and scrutinised documents, including registers of distribution and unclaimed articles of 1992-93 period, files relating to the unnatural death of Sister Abhaya maintained at the SDM office and inquest reports.
The destruction of material evidence was of great significance as the case had no eyewitnesses. The CBI had arrested two priests and a nun after it concluded that Sr Abhaya, whose body was found in the well of St Pius X convent in Kottayam on March 27, 1992, was murdered.