A 28-Year Quest for Justice: The Mystery of Sister Abhaya's Murder

Sister Abhaya, born Beena Thomas, was a second-year student at Kottayam BCM College and a member of the Knanaya Catholic Community. She rose at 4 a.m. to study and went to the convent's kitchen for water. Hours later, her body was found in the well, raising suspicion. On April 13, 1992, Kerala's Crime Branch took over, and by January 30, 1993, submitted a report supporting the suicide theory.

Public distrust grew as evidence was lost or manipulated: post-mortem photos were doctored, chemical analysis delayed, and Abhaya's garments destroyed. Outrage led human rights campaigner Jomon Puthenpurackal to form the Sister Abhaya Case Action Council for justice.

On March 29, 1993, the Kerala High Court transferred the case to the CBI. Over two decades, multiple CBI teams faced opposition from the church and internal issues. In 2008, a witness, Adakka Raju, a small-time robber, reported seeing two priests enter the convent at night. His testimony, forensic data, and disputed narco tests led to the arrest of Priests Jose Poothrikkayil and Thomas Kottoor, and Sister Sephy. The CBI alleged Abhaya caught them in compromising circumstances, leading to her murder by Sister Sephy, who beat her and dumped her body in the well to stage a suicide.

All three denied the charges. In 2018, Father Jose was acquitted for lack of evidence. On December 22, 2020, a CBI court convicted Father Kottoor and Sister Sephy of murder and evidence tampering, sentencing them to life imprisonment and fining them Rs 5 lakh each. In June 2022, the Kerala High Court suspended their sentences and granted bail, citing insufficient evidence and procedural issues. Their appeal is pending.

The Sister Abhaya case highlights the struggle for accountability, showing how power can obstruct justice. It remains a reminder of the importance of public vigilance.