GovindachamyKottayam: A mafia in Mumbai is supporting Govindachamy, the convict in the sensational Soumya murder case, his advocate B.A. Aloor has said.
"The mafia is based in Panvel near Mumbai and Keralites are also part of it. Ever since they assigned me the case, they have been giving me good remuneration," the advocate was quoted as saying by Manorama News on Saturday.
Soumya murder: who's backing Govindachamy? Maharashtra underworld!
Aloor also said that he has handled the mafia's other cases including rape, robbery and those charged under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Aloor's statements confirm earlier reports that Govindachamy was part of a notorious theft ring operating in moving trains on the route between Chennai and Panvel in Maharashtra.
Govindachamy, a Tamil Nadu native, is said to be a key member of the Panvel-based inter-state robber gang.
The Supreme Court had recently reduced the death penalty sentence given to him in the Soumya murder case where Aloor represented the convict. The alleged rape and murder of 23-year-old Soumya on a rail track had triggered widespread protests across Kerala and the country and debates on safety of women passengers.
Aloor had represented Govindachamy in the fast track court and the Kerala High Court as well.
'Aloor trying to derail the case'
Reacting to the report, Soumya's mother Sumathi said that advocate Aloor was aiming to derail the case. "Aloor making such statements ahead of Supreme Court's hearing on review petition against the earlier order is dubious," Sumathi told Manorama News.
