Updated on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 00:00 IST

Kochi, Nov 19: The CBI on Wednesday claimed that the arrests of two priests and a nun in the Sister Abhaya murder case were made on the basis of "concrete and fresh" evidence against them.

While Father Thomas Kottur (61) and Father Jose Puthrukkayil (56) were arrested yesterday, Sister Sephi (45) was arrested today, CBI joint director Ashok Kumar and DIG P Kandaswamy told at a specially convened press conference at the CBI headquarters here.

All the three were arrested from Kottayam, they said.

Not giving the details of the evidence against the accused, Kumar said, "we have fresh evidence against them. Unless we have evidence, we will not take anyone into custody."

Refusing to divulge further, he said the accused could take advantage if they revealed further and could tamper with the evidence.

"It is the endeavour of the CBI to complete the investigation as expeditiously as possible in full deference of the Kerala High Court order," Kumar said. "They expect us to complete the investigations as early as possible," he added.

The CBI joint director also requested the media to avoid giving credence to unconfirmed reports. "Unconfirmed reports will affect the case. We are investigating all the aspects."

Replying to a query, he said, "the CBI did not mentally or physically torture the accused in its custody. We give them all medical assistance too."

The CBI has constituted a team of 30 officials, including officers who know the local language, to handle the case.

Bureau Report