Bail condition of accused relaxed in Abhaya case

A division bench comprising Justice K Balakrishnan Nair and Justice C T Ravikumar lifted the two conditions imposed in the January 1, 2009, bail order that she should report to the investigating officer as and when directed and not to leave the place of residence without prior permission of the magistrate concerned.

The court had earlier relaxed the bail conditions of two other accused — Father Thomas Kotoor and Father Jose Puthrikayil. The body of Abhaya, an imate of the St Pius Convent at Kottayam, was found in the well of the convent in March 1992.

The CBI arrested Thomas Kotoor, Jose Puthrikayil and Sephy in connection with the case November last year.

Meanwhile, hearing a petition filed by former Kottayam SP K T Michael, challenging the Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate’s order permitting the CBI to conduct a narco-analysis test on him, the bench said the trial court could impose appropriate conditions necessary for a fair trial of the case.

The petition has been posted to Friday for further hearing.