'Adakka Raju's statement not credible'; Father Thomas Kottoor, Sister Sephy file appeal in High Court against sentence

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy, who are serving life sentences in the Abhaya case, have filed a petition in the High Court. In their appeal, the two claimed that the statement of Adakka Raju, a key witness in the case, was not credible and that their trial and sentencing were illegal.

The two convicts also stated that they were charged with murder on the basis of the statements of only two witnesses. On December 23, the CBI court in Thiruvananthapuram had found both Father Kottoor and Sister Sephy guilty of murder and destruction of evidence.