The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Abhaya case: State police yet to receive report

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Abhaya case: State police yet to receive report

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The State police are yet to receive the report of the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) which has reportedly pointed out that the Forensic Science Laboratory in Bangalore edited and manipulated the compact discs pertaining to narco-analysis done on the accused in the Sister Abhaya case.

In a report submitted to the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate on Monday, the C-DIT said the original compact discs, which recorded the narco-analysis done on the accused — Fr. Thomas Kottoor, Fr. Jose Puthrikayil and Sister Sephy — had been edited and manipulated.

The court had directed the Thiruvananthapuram-based C-DIT to ascertain the genuineness of the CDs submitted by the Bangalore FSL.

Based on the petition of Sister Abhaya’s father M. Thomas, the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate K.A. Baby on Thursday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to question former FSL Assistant Director S. Malini and other persons concerned and retrieve the original CDs within 10 days. The CBI officers are expected to visit Bangalore shortly.

Second time

This is the second time that the CBI officers will be visiting the FSL in connection with the allegations of CD tampering. CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police Nanadakumar Nair in February questioned Ms. Malini and FSL Director B.M. Mohan. Following the inquiry, the FSL authorities submitted to the court what they claimed were the original CDs that contained the recording of the narco-analysis of the three accused.

These were the CDs that were given to the C-DIT for examination. The C-DIT reported to the court that these CDs were not original. In 1992, Kottayam resident Sister Abhaya was murdered and her body was found in the well of the Pious 10th Convent Hostel. After years of investigation, the CBI charged Fr. Thomas Kottoor, Fr. Jose Puthrikayil and Sister Sephy of involvement in the murder.

‘Not received’

Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Ajai Kumar Singh said they had not received the C-DIT report. “We have not received the report. We have to look at it before considering any action,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu.

FSL Director Dr. Mohan refused to comment on the C-DIT report. “I have not yet received the copy of the report. I need to go through the report and examine the technical observations made by C-DIT,” he said.

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