Kerala honour killing: Kevin had drowned, says autopsy

Kottayam: The initial report based on the autopsy on the body of Kevin, 23, who was bumped off the third day after registering his marriage with a girl outside his community, indicates drowning.  However, IG Vijay Sakare who is leading the investigation told this newspaper that the police cannot zero in on any particular cause leading to the death as of now. “We can say anything conclusively only after receiving the chemical analysis report of the viscera. The death may be due to a combination of factors. There are also injuries in the body of the accused,” he told this newspaper.  

He said that charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder will be charged against all of the 14 accused among other charges. Six of the accused in the case who were arrested by the police are Niyas, Riyas, Manu, Shanu Chacko, Chacko John and Ishan.

Police says there are 14 people, including the girl’s father Chacko and her mother Rahna, were also involved in the conspiracy. The police has added Chacko and Rahna in the accused list after finding that they too have a role in the conspiracy. Kevin’s wife Neenu had informed the police that the crime could not be committed without the knowledge of her father and mother.   

Shanu Chacko, the brother of Neenu and her father Chacko surrendered before the police. IG Vijay Sakare, who is in charge of the investigation told reporters that the Gandhinagar SI committed lapses in the investigation.   Mr Sakare said that whether a case will be registered against the SI will only be known after the conclusion of the investigation. He said that the police has intensified the search for the remaining accused.