KOTTAYAM: V V Augustine, the fourth accused in the case, was found dead near his house under mysterious circumstances on November 28, 2008. He was one of the members of the police team which had conducted the inquiry into Sister Abhaya’s death in the initial stages.
Police suspected that the 62-year-old retired assistant sub-inspector had committed suicide. He was found dead with his veins cut in the compound of his house at Ithithanam, near here. CBI had found that he had destroyed crucial evidence in the case.
Augustine, who was subjected to interrogation several times by CBI, was said to be under mental trauma. His death came a day after CBI recorded his statement regarding the case.
He was found dead barely a week after the arrest of the first three accused. His relatives had alleged that the retired officer took his own life because of the torture by CBI. The relatives had approached the high court in this regard.
Augustine, who was the ASI of Kottayam West police station at the time of Abhaya’s death, was the first policeman to reach the spot after the nun’s body was found in the well.
He had conducted the inquest and prepared the FIR in the case and was involved in the initial phase of investigation before the case was handed over to the crime branch, and later to the CBI. He was subjected to brain mapping by the CBI team and his statement was taken by the investigating team amid allegations that certain vital information were suppressed in the FIR.
Augustine’s relatives had alleged that the retired officer took his own life because of the torture by CBI.