THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The verdict in the sensational Sister Abhaya case, which witnessed several unexpected twists, will be pronounced by the CBI Special Court on December 22. Sister Abhaya was found dead in the well of Pious Xth Convent in Kottayam on March 27, 1992.

In a case that created a stir and gained national attention, Fr. Thomas M Kottur is the first accused and Sister Sefi is the third accused. The second accused, Fr. Jose Poothrikkayil was acquitted by the trial court citing lack of evidence. The year-long trial was completed on the 10th of last month.

The case was dismissed by the local police and the crime branch as suicide. Though the CBI too had filed three reports in the High Court to conclude the case citing lack of evidence, they were rejected. The court ordered for a new investigation and the accused were arrested by the new investigation team on November 19, 2008.