Kevin Joseph and NeenuKollam: Neenu Chacko, 20, whose husband Kevin was brutally murdered presumably in a case of honour killing, belonged to the family of an inter-religious married couple; her father a Catholic and mother a Muslim.
Her parents, Chacko of Sanu Bhavan, Ottakkal, near Thenmala, and Rahna Beevi, got married about two decades ago confronting challenges, both within and outside the family. Ironically, Neenu's brother Sanu, who allegedly masterminded the murder, too had married a girl of his choice.
In fact, Chacko and Rahna had also struggled in convincing their parents about the choice of their partner. Though Rahna's family was in favour of the marriage, Chacko's relatives vehemently opposed to their affair. The latter even filed a case with the Thenmala police station and the marriage took place after police intervened and negotiated a peace, recollected some of their neighbours.
However, Chacko's relatives stayed away from the function. They still do not maintain a cordial relationship with the couple. On the other hand, Rahna's family is in good relation with them.
Immediately after the marriage, Chacko went abroad in search of a job. A few years later, he took Rahna along with him and the two stayed there for several years.
After quitting that job, he returned home and opened a stationary outlet adjacent to the home. It is Rahna who currently runs the shop.
Chacko's elder son Sanu married a native of Thiruvananthapuram following a love affair. Sanu, who was working abroad, returned home on leave a couple of days ago.
Neenu, who hails from Ottakkal near Thenmala, befriended Kevin when she joined a college in Kottayam to pursue B.Com after completing Plus Two. Soon, their friendship evolved into an emotional love affair. Though Neenu left Kottayam upon completion of her course, the bond only grew stronger.
Last Thursday, Neenu's parents fixed her marriage ignoring her objections. Following which Neenu travelled to Kottayam lying to her parents that she wanted to check the exam results. She stayed with one of Kevin's relatives and on Friday morning the two applied for registration of marriage online. After signing a cohabitation agreement, Neenu phoned her parents and informed them.
Kevin, apparently fearing that her parents would forcibly take her away, left her at a hostel in the city before going to a relative's house.
Neenu's family was not ready to accept the couple because of the social and financial divide between the two.
