CBI ordered to proceed with Sr Abhaya case probe

The High Court of Kerala on Tuesday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team to continue with the probe even as three of the accused were recently given conditional bail in the 1992 murder of Sister Abhaya.

CBI earlier protested over the bail granted to the three accused - two priests Jose Putarika and Thomas M.Kottor and Sister Seffi. It further filed a petition on the manner in which Justice K Hema had on January 1 made some remarks on the investigation team and requested a higher official to take charge.

The CBI also informed the court that it would be filing a petition seeking clarification whether the agency has to continue with the investigation or wait for further orders.

Single Bench Judge Justice, Mr R Basant, had earlier said that there were inconsistencies in the observations regarding narco-analysis CDs and reports, conducted on the accused, by Mr Justice Ramkumar and Ms Justice Hema.

While Mr Justice Ramkumar, in his order on September 4, 2008, praised the FSL Lab, Bangalore for doing a commendable job in the narco-analysis test on the three accused, Justice Hema accused the lab for tampering the CDs.

The mysterious murder of Sister Abhaya has been taking different turns, even as Church claims its 'innocence' in the 16-year-old case.