The Hindu : Front Page : Accused in Abhaya case get conditional bail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 02, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Accused in Abhaya case get conditional bail

High Court directs supervision of investigation by experienced senior officer

Bail to be cancelled for breach of conditions
CBI told to furnish details of supervising officers

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted conditional bail to two Catholic priests and a nun arrested in connection with the Sister Abhaya murder case.

Justice K. Hema ordered that the accused be released on their executing a bond for Rs.1 lakh with two solvent sureties each to the like amount before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court.

The bail was granted while allowing the bail petitions filed by Fr. Thomas Kottur, Fr. Jose Poothrikkayil, and Sr. Sephy.

The case relates to the death of Sr. Abhaya, an inmate of the Pius X Convent, Kottayam. The body was found in a well on the premise of the convent in March 1992.

The other conditions of the bail were: they should appear before investigation officers as and when the officers directed them to do so; they should cooperate with the investigation, and should surrender their passports, if any, before the magistrate — if they did not have any passport, they should file affidavits to the effect; they should not leave the place where they resided without the permission of the magistrate court; and should inform the magistrate court in writing of the place where they were staying.

The court directed the accused not to use any telephone until further orders. In case they made or received any telephone calls, the bail was liable to be cancelled. They should not even indirectly indulge in any act whatsoever to influence or intimidate any witness or tamper with evidence.

In case of breach of the condition, the bail was liable to be cancelled.

The court directed that the investigation by the present team of officers be continued only “under the strict and immediate guidance and supervision of a more competent and experienced senior officer or a team of officers of CBI,” in the light of certain lapses in the investigation pointed out by the court.

The court directed the CBI to furnish before the court the details of the supervising officers without any delay.

Counsel for the accused contended that the accused were totally innocent.

However, CBI counsel contended that the scientific report proved involvement of the accused in the murder.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page