Jisha rape and murder case: ADGP B Sandhya did not slip on slippers

Kochi: The cops during their investigation into the Perumbavur murder case had recovered a pair of slippers, suspected to be that of  the murderer, from near the scene of the crime during the initial stage itself, but it was at the behest of the new team led by ADGP B. Sandhya that they were  sent for forensic examination.

“The slippers abandoned by the accused later proved to be crucial evidence.  We confirmed them to be that of the perpetrator since bloodstains in them included that of the victim too. Later a shopowner could recollect an Assamese native buying a similar pair of chappals,” sources said.

A detailed probe in which the cops questioned almost all migrant labourers in the region revealed that an Assamese native had stayed 200 metres beside her house in connection with a construction work there for some time and then had gone missing.

Former home minister Ramesh Chennithala pointed out that the evidence collected by the first investigation team had proved vital in solving the case. “Congratulations to the investigation team that has managed to find the culprit in the case. However, we should also take note of the fact that the killer was nabbed based on the evidence collected by the first investigation team,” he said.

Meanwhile, legal experts are of the opinion that the cops have clinching evidence with them for a successful prosecution of the accused. “If the investigating agency is able to forge together a chain of circumstances pointing to the guilt of the accused with the blood samples and DNA testing pin-pointing him to the scene of crime along with eyewitness accounts of his exit from there,  it will be very difficult for the accused to explain it all away as mere coincidence. Prima facie I think the Kerala police has done a commendable job,” senior advocate Vijayabhanu said.