Daijiworld Media Network - Kottayam (ANK)
Kottayam, May 31: In a shocking case of honour killing, 26-year-old Kevin was brutally murdered after being abducted by his wife's relatives.
Kevin Joseph (26) and Neenu Chacko (20), natives of Pathanapuram were in a relationship for three years and they decided to get married. Neenu belonged to a Roman Catholic family. Kevin, who belonged to Cheramar community, or a Dalit Christian. The Cheramar community, consisting of converted Christians, is considered to be a backward community and Kevin was financially poor. The end of their relationship was tragic one as Kevin was brutally murdered allegedly by the girl's family, soon after the couple's marriage.
A gang led by Neenu's brother Shanu Chacko allegedly abducted Kevin and his relative Mannaham Aneesh, who was later released by the gang. Kevin’s family remained clueless about his whereabouts. Kevin's wife Neenu lodged missing complaint with the police. On May 28, Kevin's body was found in a canal at Chaliyekkara with torture marks.
Kevin Joseph and Neenu
Married without parents' permission
On May 24, Neenu convinced her family that she had to visit Kottayam to enquire about an exam. It was utterly shocking for Neenu's family after they heard from Neenu that she had married Kevin at Kottayam.
The very next day, Neenu's family registered a complaint at Gandhi Nagar police station. The police summoned the couple to the station. Kevin and Neenu submitted their marriage documents to the police. Shockingly, the police did not permit Neenu to go with Kevin and asked her to accompany her family. Neenu left to her college hostel while Kevin moved to his relative Aneesh’s residence.
On May 27, three men broke into Aneesh’s residence and allegedly abducted both Kevin and Aneesh after brutally attacking them.
Police inaction and alleged role
Even after the missing complaint of Kevin was filed by Neenu, the police did not give much priority to the case, as the chief minister of the state was visiting Kottayam. The police could have saved Kevin if they had taken action immediately after the complaint was lodged.
Two days after the body was found, proof emerged in the form of a phone call purportedly reveals that the police had prior knowledge of Kevin's abduction and that the police even promised help to the abductors. According to a news published by The News Minute, a report by central zone IG Vijay Sakhare to the DGP says that assistant sub inspector Biju was aware of the kidnapping. The conversation between the main accused Shanu Chacko and a policeman, believed to be ASI Biju, is reported to have happened a few hours after the kidnapping. In the conversation, the policeman promises, "Whatever I can do, I will do for you Shanu", while Shanu says even though what he did was wrong, he was ready to pay for the damages caused to Kevin's house.
ASI Biju and a police driver were later arrested for their alleged roles in the murder.
Sub-inspector M S Shibhu was suspended under the direction of DGP for his negligence in the case. ASI Sunny was also put under suspension. Kottayam SP Muhammad Rafeeq was also transferred in connection with the incident. The DGP has sought a report from the IG with regard to the brutal murder.
It is gathered that a complaint alleging the police of receiving bribe from the culprit to close the case will also be probed.
Shanu Chacko
Neenu's brother Shanu, the main conspirator
The police succeeded in nabbing Niyas and Riyas, Neenu's maternal relatives for allegedly abducting and killing Kevin. It is said that Neenu's parents too were involved in the murder of Kevin. The two arrested revealed that Neenu's brother was the main culprit in the murder.
Neenu's brother Shanu Chacko reportedly included Niyas and Riyas in his gang to execute the crime. Shanu had returned from abroad on May 26 after he heard the news of his sister's marriage. The statement of the arrested persons further revealed that Shanu was the main conspirator behind the murder and the gang consisted of 13 members, most of whom are relatives of Neenu. Two of them reportedly have criminal background.
A special investigation team nabbed Chacko John and Shanu Chacko, father and brother of Neenu for hatching a conspiracy to kill Kevin. In the fear of getting arrested, the father-son duo had applied for an anticipatory bail plea earlier. Police have nabbed four culprits and eight of them are yet to be detained.
Kevin’s mortal remains were cremated at the Good Shepherded Church cemetery in Kottayam on Tuesday evening in the presence of a huge crowd which turned out to pay homage to the deceased.
This tragic incident has brought shame to the entire state. In addition, there is a political connection to this murder, with the culprits belonging to both the Congress and the CPI(M). Soon after the news of arrest of the accused spread, protests from Dalit organisations, UDF and even the Congress and the BJP erupted in the state.