Murder trial delayed as medical records lost in Kottayam MCH collapse

Kottayam: The collapse of the building attached to the surgical block of the Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital has affected the trial in a murder case. The medical records related to the Puthuppally Mathew murder case were stored in the old surgical block which collapsed recently, and the hospital authorities have sought more time to produce the documents.

According to the hospital authorities, all medical records stored in the old building were shifted to a new building complex after the mishap and more time was needed to trace the documents related to the murder case. Medical College authorities submitted a plea before the Additional District Court – 2 in Kottayam in this regard, based on which the court granted time till July 25, when the case will be taken up again.

Earlier, the court had issued a directive to produce the treatment records of Rosanna, the accused in the case.

The incident related to the case took place on December 14, 2021, when Mathew Abraham (Kochu), a 48-year-old man residing at Padanilath, Perunkavu in Puthuppally, was killed, allegedly by his wife Rosanna (45). Mathew was murdered in front of his minor son, who was shifted to the care of the Child Welfare Committee and is now under the protection of some relatives.

The arguments by the prosecution, represented by additional public prosecutor Cyril Thomas, were completed last month.

The accused Rosanna is currently in prison. The trial is being delayed as the advocates of the defendant sought the police station records related to Rosanna’s arrest and medical records regarding the treatment and hospital stay of Rosanna, who exhibited signs of mental distress while in jail. The documents at the police station were presented before the court recently.