M. Navas

Police showing undue hurry to close the case as a suicide and destroy crucial evidence, a court order that ruled a crucial scientific evidence inadmissible, a hoard of witnesses that turned hostile and a key witness with a questionable credibility — challenges that people, who fought for justice for Sister Abhaya, had to face at various stages of the case was literally insurmountable. Yet, reminiscent of the biblical story of David and Goliath.

The final argument by prosecution in Sister Abhaya murder case trial will begin at CBI special court on Wednesday. The prosecution has been given three days for arguments. Special prosecutor M Navas will argue for the investigating agency to establish the crime based on statements of witnesses and evidence submitted in court.

Two more witnesses turned hostile in Sister Abhaya murder case. During witness examination a CBI special court here on Monday, Sister Elcitta and Thresiamma denied their earlier statements given to CBI investigators. Sister Elcitta was an occupant of St. Pius X convent and Thresiamma worked as a helper in the kitchen of the convent in 1992 when Sister Abhaya was found dead.

The witness examination in Sister Abhaya murder case trial was held as in camera in the CBI special court on Friday as demanded by the counsel of the third accused, Sister Sephy. The witness who was summoned on Friday was Dr Lalithambika Karunakaran, professor of department of gynaecology and obstetrics, TD Medical College, Alappuzha. It was Dr Lalithambika who conducted the medical examination of Sister Sephy after her arrest in November 2008.

Sister Sherly, who had been the roommate of Sister Abahaya at the St Pius X convent, told the CBI special court on Saturday that Abhaya had a sound sleep on the night before her death and she had woken Abhaya up by 4am. She also said she had gone with Abhaya to attend a Bible convention that evening. Sherly, who was declared hostile by the prosecution after a detailed witness examination, underlined the argument of the prosecution that Abhaya was mentally sound, was in a jovial mood and didn’t have any plan to commit suicide, in her reply.

CBI special court will deliver its verdict in the Sister Abhaya murder case on Dec 22. The trial in the case concluded on Thursday with the prosecution’s reply arguments. Judge K Sanil Kumar posted the case for verdict on December 22.

Former chemical examiners of chemical examiners’ laboratory here who had examined the samples of internal organs of Sister Abhaya’s body told a CBI special court that there was no evidence to prove that Abhaya was raped prior to her death.

Starting medical colleges could become a tougher task if the draft guidelines prepared by the recently constituted National Medical Commission (NMC) come into effect

CBI SP Nandakumaran Nair, who was the investigating officer in Sister Abhaya murder case, told the CBI special court on Tuesday that there had been major flaws in the initial investigation by Kerala Police and crime branch in the murder case.

Even though for the first time the state opened admissions to outside Kerala students in private medical colleges here, a few could make it to final admission list.

The practice of allowing reservation for various subclasses within a community in private medical colleges run by minority communities will be stopped from this academic year.

Retired college professor K C Thresiamma, who had taught at BCM College, Kottayam, where Sister Abhaya had studied for pre-degree told the CBI special court on Tuesday that there had been a talk among a section of teachers in the college that Fr Thomas Kottoor and Fr Jose Puthrukkayil – both had also taught in the same college – had some involvement in the murder of Sister Abhaya. She said they used to talk about the case when the priests had been out of college.

With almost 30% of NRI seats in private medical colleges falling vacant after the first phase of medical allotment, the private medical managements have written to the commissioner of entrance exams (CEE) to permit them to admit even the NRI students who don’t possess Kerala domicile certificate.

The chief minister has assured all government support to the scientific community to conduct clinical trials of the herbal antidote for many ailments including diabetes.