Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office issued a statement regarding the murder of Kottayam resident Kevin P Joseph. Kevin was abducted and allegedly murdered by his wife Neenu’s kin for marrying her.
“Under the leadership of IG Vijay Sakhare, 4 squads have been constituted to investigate and nab all the accused in the abduction and murder case of the Kerala groom. In the districts of Kollam and Kottayam, two different teams have been commissioned. Apart from this, two teams from the CBCID will also be investigating the matter. Since all the accused have connections in different places in the two districts, such a manner of investigating the case has been chosen,” the statement read.
The statement comes after harsh criticism and tough questions put forth to the CM. It was found that policemen at the Gandhinagar police station had refused to act on the missing complaint as the Chief Minister had programmes in Kottayam and police personnel had been assigned for security duty.
When Kevin’s wife Neenu approached the police, the sub inspector refused to take it citing that the CM was visiting the district and all officers were busy.
Reacting to a question related to this, the Chief Minister told the media, “My travel or security does not come into the picture here. The security team of the CM is different from the local police. They are supposed to continue their duty."
However, TV channels in Kerala showed police documenta that showed that the sub inspector had been on security duty.
Two of the accused, Ishan and Niyas, were members of the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI (M). Niyas is also the unit secretary of the DYFI in Thenmala, where the girl’s family lives.
The DYFI office too put out a statement saying that the party had nothing to do with the incident and involving the DYFI's name was a political game played by those who opposed the party.
“The DYFI member who drove the vehicle in which Kevin was abducted is Niyas, the son of Neenu’s mother’s brother Nasiruddin. The accused has partaken in this crime as a relative. After we received information on this, DYFI immediately revoked his principal membership in the group. Apart from him, another relative Ishan who was part of the abduction has been removed from the DYFI,” the statement read.
The statement also questioned why the political leanings of Shanu Chacko, the main accused in the murder, was not highlighted by media. DYFI alleged that Shanu, the bride's brother and first accused in the case was a Youth Congress leader a few years ago.
“Bringing out the political affiliations of the driver of the vehicle but not the main accused in the abduction is in order to add political colour to the case,” the statement added.
Following the incident, the Gandhinagar police SI who refused to accept the complaint has been suspended. The Kottayam Superintendent of Police, VM Muhammad Rafeeq has been tranferred from the district and the case has been handed over to the special team now.
Kevin and Neenu were in a relationship for two years. When Neenu’s family began seeking an alliance for her, she and Kevin applied to get their marriage registered on May 24th, Friday. On Saturday night, a gang of armed men entered Kevin’s residence in Kottayam and abducted him.
Kevin’s body was later found in a ditch in Chaliyekkara, a few miles away from Thenmala where the girl’s family lives. According to sources, Neenu’s family who are well to do were opposed to her relationship with Kevin, who was a Dalit Christian.