Kottayam: A group of people led by Niyas, the second accused in the sensational Kevin murder case, had come looking for Kevin P Joseph's wife Neenu at his house, the victim’s relative Anish told the court on Thursday. Having completed the cross-examination of the accused the prosecution has begun a retrial. The court is set to analyse evidence on the vehicle used by them on Friday.
Anish, the prime witness in the sensational Kevin murder case, had difficulty identifying some of the accused on day one of the trial. He identified seven accused as the trial began in district court 2 here on Wednesday. Three, including Kevin’s father-in-law who is the fifth accused, could not be identified. Anish had said he had seen Neenu’s father at the station a day before incident.
Anish told the court that he suffered from long-sight, a condition that makes viewing objects at a distance difficult. His condition has reportedly worsened since the incident last year. The defence had cross-examined him on Thursday.
Bringing back Neenu was not the reason behind Anish and Kevin’s abduction, the defence argued.
Anish said he overheard a telephonic conversation where Niyas was told that Kevin and Neenu were about to get married. Niyas had replied: ‘We don’t want her (Neenu) back.’
Anish said that after being abducted from Kottayam, he saw Niyas at Chaliyakkara. It was Niyas who brought him back to Kottayam. He did not call Neenu on phone during this time, Anish said during cross-examination.
Kevin had received baptism and was a Christian by faith, he added.
The court expressed its dissatisfaction as defence’s cross examination dragged on.
Kevin P Joseph, a 23-year-old Dalit Christian youth, was brutally butchered in May 2018 by the brother of his fiancee, Neenu. His crime was that he wanted to marry 20-year-old Neenu who belonged to a weathy family against the wishes of her parents and brother. The Kevin's murder trial which began in February is expeced to be completed in six months as it comes under the category of honour killing.
