The Chavakkad Judicial Magistrate Court in Thrissur on Saturday extended the police remand of VM Justin, who is an accused in the death case of his 25-year-old wife Anliya, who was found dead in a river in Aluva on August 28, 2018.
Justin, who surrendered before the Court on January 19, was sent to the custody of the Crime Branch for investigation on January 23.
"Justin had filed for bail but the court rejected his application. Since his initial 14-day remand period expired on Saturday, he was produced before the Chavakkad Judicial Magistristrate, which further extended his remand. Although his remand was extended as part of the formality, the Court might have felt that it was early to grant him bail," the investigating officer of the Special Branch told TNM. The officer also said that the investigation is progressing.
Justin (in blue shirt)
In a case that had sent shockwaves across the state, the body of 25-year-old Anliya was found in the Periyar river in Aluva on August 28, 2018, three days after she went missing from Thrissur Railway station.
Based on a diary left behind by Anliya, it was found that she was a victim of domestic violence as she had chronicled the abuse she faced from her husband, Justin and his family, which became crucial in the case.
“If anything happens to me, my husband and his family will be responsible,” wrote Anliya on one of the pages in her diary.
On the other hand, on January 17, two days before he surrendered before the court, Justin uploaded an audio clip in which he is supposedly talking to a reporter, on his YouTube channel. In the video, Justin can be heard saying that Anliya used to exhibit strange behaviour and that her family did not give her any treatment despite knowing about her condition.
Justin will remain in custody till February 16.