Kochi, Monday, July 27, 2009: The CBI has appealed to the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court that the future trial in connection with the murder of Sister Abhaya should be conducted confidentially. The Court which accepted the charge sheet filed by the CBI has decided to send summons to the accused Father Thomas Kottoor, Father Jose Poothrikkayil and Sister Sephy — under section 302 (murder), section 201 (destruction of evidence) and 499 (defamation).

All the three were arrested on November 19 last year in the case that shocked Kerala after the 21-year-old sister was found dead in a well in St Pius convent in Kottayam.

According to the CBI chargesheet, investigation revealed that the chappals and veil of the victim had been found scattered in the kitchen and wash area on the Cellar Floor.

The accused Sister was the sole occupant of the Cellar Floor on the night when the crime took place and the well, where the dead body of Sister Abhaya had been found, was at a hearing distance from the room occupied.

The probe also revealed that two male accused were in the habit of making nocturnal visits to the Convent Hostel and “were known to be close to another female accused”, the chargesheet said.

Meanwhile, the defense counsel appealed to Court that the speculation on media about the details of the charge sheet filed in Court should be avoided.