Arch Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnasserry wishing Chrysostom Thirumeni Happy...

Abhaya case: Diocese threatens defamation suit

  

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Shaju Philip : Thiruvananthapuram, Wed Jul 25 2012, 00:39 hrs

In its reply to discharge petitions filed by two Catholic priests and a nun who have been chargesheeted in the suspected murder of nun Abhaya, the CBI has questioned the role of a bishop. Deploring the CBI statement in a special court here, the Archdiocese of Kottayam, to which the accused, victim and bishop belonged, has threatened to file a defamation case against the agency.

The accused priests, Thomas Kottoor and Jose Puthrikkayil, and nun Stephy had filed a discharge petition in the CBI court in January 2011, stating there was no evidence to frame murder charge against them.

The CBI on Monday submitted an affidavit, stating that there was substantial scientific and circumstantial evidence to try the accused. Quoting the statement of 12th witness (Thressiamma), the investigating agency said a nun named Lousy of the BCM College in Kottayam had relationship with Kottoor and Puthrikkayil as well as with then Bishop Kuriakose Kunnassery, and this was known to the accused priests. The CBI repeated its observations in the chargesheet against Stephy and made some objectionable comments.

Sabu Kurian, spokesperson for Kottayam diocese, said the diocese has decided to file a defamation suit against the CBI. “The CBI statement was aimed at tarnishing the image of Bishop Kunnassery and the diocese. The agency has been feeding the media with malicious stuff. The BCM College did not have a nun named Lousy.” He said Stephy has filed an affidavit in the Delhi High Court that she was ready to prove her virginity to counter the CBI’s observation against her in the chargesheet.

Senior lawyer C P Udayabhanu said the CBI’s bid to morally attack the accused and the bishop was unwarranted. Their discharge petition should not have been countered in this manner, said Udayabhanu.

Abhaya was found dead in the well of her convent in Kottayam in 1992. The trial is pending in the special CBI court here.
Courtesy: Indian Express