The case dealing with the investigations into Sister Abhaya murder case is one of the most long standing and of paramount importance to the state of Kerala. The crux of the case is, "Sister Abhaya Murder case concerns a nun, who was found dead in a water well in St. Pious X convent in Kottayam, Kerala, on 27 March 1992. She was twenty one years old at the time of her death and was a member of St. Joseph's Congregation for women under the Knanaya Catholic diocese of Kottayam, Kerala in India." The case associated with this murder has moved to and from Kerala Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Though this case has been a long standing one (almost 16 years in fact), nothing much moved substantially until recently. The most significant movement forward with this case is that on 19 November 2008, two priests of the Knanaya Catholic diocese diocese, Fr. Thomas Kottoor, Fr. Jose Puthrukayil, and a nun Sr. Sephi were arrested by the CBI. Following this significant arrests, a lot of theories have emerged from various quarters.
The Action council associated with this case stated that this was one of the most noticeable move towards cracking the case. The substantial thing to be noted is that the people who were arrested were arrested on the charges of murder and not just for questioning. As a response to the latest developments with the case, the Knanaya Catholic diocese of Kottayam released a circular dated 23rd November, 2008. In the circular, the 'sabha' urged the believers to be united against the so called CONSPIRACY and PRAY for the people arrested who the 'sabha' still thought to be innocent souls.
The current situation of the case suggests that: "On Dec 02, 2008, CBI made certain revelations before P.D. Soman, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam. According to CBI, their brain-mapping investigation revealed that Sister Abhaya woke up on January 27, 1992, early in the morning, descended the staircase and went to the hostel kitchen for taking drinking water from the fridge. She was hit with an axe ('kodali') twice on the back of the head, near the right ear. She then collapsed. After the murder, the first accused, Fr. Thomas Kottoor, and the second accused, Fr. Jose Poothrikkayil, assisted by the third accused, Sr. Sephy, lifted Sr Abhaya's body, took it out of the kitchen and dumped in a well behind the building." After the crime was been committed it seems the accused planned meticulously to hide the crime. The planning goes to the extent of Hymenoplasty procedure on Sr. Sephy, apart from the remodeling of the construction of the hostel in which the crime was committed.
I personally do not have anything against any 'Sabha', but I was really taken aback with the stand the Knanaya Catholic diocese took in this matter. They now stand a chance to swallow their own vomit after all this revelation. What surprised me was the urgency shown by the diocese to come to the defense of the accused and make a mockery of the investigation procedure. I wonder what stand they will take now, when the accused have admitted to the crime they committed. I hope the "sabha" realizes that they are no more INNOCENT SOULS.
It was very immature and hasty for the 'sabha' to come up with that sort of circular. It would have made a whole lot more sense if they silently supported and assisted the investigation body to understand and make valid conclusions of the crime committed 16 years back. Why on earth should a responsible 'sabha' try to defend criminals and how would they describe the rationale behind the hymen restoration surgery procedure done on Sr. Sephy? While the sabha acted too strongly to shield these 'innocent souls', I wonder did they ever recognize that Sr Abhaya too was part of the same 'sabha'. What sort of respect and acceptance has the 'sabha' meted out to the DEAD Sr Abhaya?
I am not trying to take any sides in this event, that is least of my interest. I would like the real truth to come out soon and also that people from all walks of life appreciate and acknowledge the real truth. To be in a state to appreciate and acknowledge the truth, let us be patient and wait till the final verdict is out on the issue. The pace at which this case is moving it should not take long.
And while we wait let us pray for Sr Abhaya. Yes indeed, let her soul rest in peace.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this write up is completely personal, and the only source of reference is 'en.wikipedia.org'.
