Kochi: Justine, the husband of Bengaluru-based nurse Annliya who was found dead in the Aluva River four months ago, has surrendered before the Chavakakd Judicial Magistrate Court.
The main accused surrendered soon after the case was transferred to the Crime Branch and he was remanded for 14 days.
Earlier, Annliya’s father Parakkal Huygens of Nazreth, Fort Kochi, had filed a complaint with the Thrissur City Commissioner against Justine. Based on the complaint, the police charged Justine with domestic violence and abetment of suicide.
As there was no progress in the case, Huygens approached the chief minister seeking a change of the investigating officer. Following which, the case was transferred to the Crime Branch.
Annliya was reported missing from Thrissur railway station on August 25, 2018. Her body was found in the Periyar river on August 28 and Annliya’s father filed a complaint expressing doubts over the death.
However, the local police took the stand that Justine was untraceable, forcing Annliya’s father to approach the chief minister.
The Crime Branch which is in charge of the case will soon seek the custody of Justine.
According to Huygens, any move to turn his daughter’s death into a suicide case will be resisted. Huygens had quit his job abroad for fighting the legal battle to ensure justice for his daughter.
