Kozhikode: The Kerala woman, who was arrested for killing her seven-month-old niece by throwing the infant into the well in Thamarassery, has told police that there was no accomplice to the crime. Jaseela also confessed that the neglect prevailing in her family was the trigger, and she was planning to murder her niece for the past three months.
Jaseela gave an impression to others that she was a dotting aunt but her lullabies were tainted with hatred towards the infant. The family members and neighbours are still to come to terms with the incident as they thought that Jassela was very fond of her niece Fathima. As per Jaseela’s police statement, she was trying to kill Fathima immediately after the baby was born.
Jealous of sister-in-law
Jaseela used to stay in her ancestral home in Ingapuzha as her husband was working abroad. She visited her husband’s home in Kaaraady only when he was back home on leave. Jaseela was jealous of her sister-in-law Shameena on the impression that the latter was getting more love and support in the family.
The accused used to complain with her husband that she couldn’t go on an outing like her brother and wife, and these frustrations slowly developed into an animosity towards Shameena. After a third baby was born to Shameena, Jaseela started to hate the infant too and wanted to kill the baby. On the day of murder, Shameena and her mother along with their relatives were planning to go out.
Ten attempts made
Different plots, such as smothering the baby with a pillow and drowning the baby in a bucket of water, were chalked out but Jaseela couldn’t carry out her plans as Shameena was always around. Though the accused insisted that she will take care of the baby when Shameena went out, Shameena was not comfortable in leaving the baby under Jaseela’s care.
Jaseela’s plan as a precursor to the murder was to concoct a story that the child was kidnapped by a gang of robbers.
Polygraph test did the 'trick'
Right from the start, the needle of suspicion was pointing towards Jaseela but the family members had no doubt against her. Police made inquiries regarding visitors to the home and whether anyone had ill-feeling against the family. The police ruled out the robbery angle as the gold ornaments were not missing from the baby’s body. The police got suspicious of Jassela as she gave contradictory statements relating to the incident.
Initially, Jaseela told that she saw the baby’s body in the well when she came to fetch water. But her efforts of find the baby, though Jaseela knew that the body was in the well, along with Shameena raised doubts. Further doubt was cast on Jaseela when she went to her normal self immediately after the body was taken out of the well. Police deputed two relatives to monitor Jaseela’s behavior.
Though initially Jaseela seemed to be grief-stricken, later it was found that she was happy. She was interacting with visitors and serving food for them. The cloud of doubt was cleared on the second day of questioning during which Jaseela faced the police questions with equanimity without any remorse whatsoever. First she told that someone kidnapped the baby. Later she changed the statement and said that the baby might have been killed by stray dogs or the infant might have been thrown into the well by burglars.
But Jaseela confessed to the crime when police confronted her by saying that she would be subjected to a polygraph test.
From cradle to well
Jaseela noticed that the baby was sleeping in the cradle and Shameena went to the courtyard to dry clothes. After making sure that Shameena later went to the bathroom, Jaseela took the child and threw the infant into the well. After that, Jaseela continued with her household chores. Later, when Shameena found that the baby was missing, Jaseela was found wailing and was in the forefront along with Shameena to find the baby.
Doubts still persist
The police are not buying the contention that the infant was killed because of enmity towards Shameena. Thamarassery DySP told that further probe is needed to find the real motive behind the murder and if any other person is involved in the crime.
