Court grants bail to three accused in Sister Abhaya murder case

High Court of Kerala on Thursday granted bail to two priests and a nun accused in the murder of Sister Abhaya in Kottayam, Kerala.

The accused, Father Thomas Kottur, Father Jose Puthrikayil and Sister Sephi were ordered to furnish a bail bond of Rs one lakh each and have been asked not to make or receive any telephone calls.

The three will not leave the residence without permission from the Magistrate, who should also be informed about the details of their residence, the court said.

Justice Hema also directed the accused to cooperate in the investigation and to appear before the investigating officers as and when required.

"The petitioners also should not influence or intimidate any witness or tamper with evidence," the court held.

According to the CBI, Sister Abhaya was murdered on March 27, 1992, in the hostel kitchen, when she saw the accused in "objectionable circumstances".

Later the body was dumped in a well behind the building to ensure that Sister Abhaya was dead, said the CBI.

Church, meanwhile, has denied these claims and has called it "false and absurd to defame the name of the Church."