KOTTAYAM: Accused Satheesh Babu was acquitted due to lack of evidence in the murder case of Sister Jose Maria of Mayiladi SH Convent in Pinnakanad. Kottayam Additional Sessions Court Judge Elsamma Joseph acquitted Satheesh Babu (35) of the accusations. It was also not possible to prove that the body taken out for re-postmortem from the Pala Cathedral church cemetery was that of Sister Jose Maria. The investigation team was also unable to find the wire rod said to have been used by the accused. The case alleges that 75-year-old Jose Maria was killed by the accused during a robbery attempt. Ilangulam Irupakkat family member Sister Jose Maria was killed on April 17, 2015. The prosecution said it would appeal the verdict.

Satheesh Babu is incarcerated in the Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail in the case of the murder of Sister Amala of Lisu mutt near Pala KSRTC bus stand. Sister Amala was killed during a robbery attempt. It was during the trial of this case that he confessed to also killing Sister Jose Maria.

22 witnesses were examined in the case. All 22 had testified in favor of the prosecution. Shelji Thomas and Leena George appeared for the accused and Girija Biju for the prosecution.

24 charges were filed against Satheesh Babu under the Pala DYSP office. Of these, only the murder case of Sister Amala and the theft case of Bharanganam Mutt resulted in convictions. The other cases ended in acquittals.