Transfer of IO in nun case challenged in Kerala HC

Kochi, Jul 10 (UNI) The transfer of the CBI Investigating Officer (IO), probing the Sister Abhaya murder case at the fag end of the investigation, was done with malafide intent, M Thomas, father of the deceased nun, alleged in the Kerala High Court today.

Mr Thomas submitted before Justice V Ramakumar that IO R M Krishna had been transferred from the CBI Delhi unit to their Lucknow unit yesterday and this would adversely affect the Investigation into the decade-old case.

In reply, CBI Counsel MVS Namboodiri submitted that there was no ulterior motive in the transfer and this was not a solitary transfer.

Mr Krishna, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, had sought the transfer to his native State and this had been granted, he added.

Justice Ramakumar adjourned hearing in the case to July 14.

The Judge said the Court will peruse the CBI progress report on its Investigation in the case, filed recently.

The body of the 21-year-old nun was found in a well in St Pius X Convent in Kottayam, on March 27, 1992. She was a member of St Joseph's Congregation for women under the Catholic Diocese of Kottayam.

The post-mortem report revealed that she had been sexually assaulted before being killed.

UNI XR ARC RR HT1740