KOCHI: The first and second accused who approached the Kerala High Court with the appeal of acquitting them in the Sister Abhaya case, suffered a setback on Tuesday. The high court ordered first accused Fr Thomas M Kottur and third accused Sister Sephy to face trial. The two had moved the court requesting to acquit them in the case.

The high court upheld the action of the special CBI court acquitting Fr Jose Puthrikkayil, the second accused in the case. The court also cancelled the action of implicating former DySP K T Michael of the crime branch in the case of destroying evidence.

Fr Thomas M Kottur, Fr Jose Puthrikkayil and Sister Sephy had earlier approached the CBI special court in the capital city seeking their acquittal in the case. The court had dismissed the demands of Fr Thomas M Kottur and Sr Sephy but acquitted Fr Puthrikkayil. Following that, Fr Kottur and Sister Sephy moved the high court.