Neenu's brother Sanu Chacko (center) and father Chacko have been arrested in connection with the Kevin murder case.Kottayam: The police on Tuesday arrested one more person in connection with a suspected honour killing in which the body of Kevin P Joseph, 23, was found from a river in Kollam, taking the number of arrests in the case to six.
Manu, an auto driver, who is part of a gang which abducted Kevin on Sunday, was arrested from Thenmala, police said.
The police had earlier in the day arrested Kevin's fiancee Neenu's father Chacko and brother Sanu Chacko, the prime accused in the case, from Kannur.
The police had on Monday arrested DYFI worker Niyas, Riyas and Ishan, who were part of the gang who abducted Kevin.
Neenu's father Chacko and Sanu Chacko had tried to seek refuge at a friend's house in Kannur, but was turned away. They then surrendered at the Karikottakari police station.
Chacko claimed that he and his son had no role in the murder of his daughter's fiance Kevin.
Chacko claimed that Kevin had married his daughter and he had no hostility towards him.
Ernakulam Range IG Vijay Sakhare said Neenu's father also had a role in the crime.
Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed when Kevin's body was taken to his house in NattasseryAs many as 14 people, including Neenu's parents – Chacko and Rehna - and brother Sanu, were booked in the case.
The initial autopsy report hinted that Kevin could have drowned and grievous injuries on his body may not be the likely cause of death.
Kevin's body was found floating in a river in Kollam on Monday.Situation tense
Tension prevailed at the Kottayam medical college hospital on Tuesday where the post-mortem was held. CPM workers tried to manhandle former Kerala minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on his arrival at the hospital.
Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed when Kevin's body was taken to his house in Nattassery. The funeral service was held at the Good Shepherd Church.
Relatives of Kevin alleged that he was tortured and killed by the gang engaged by his fiancee's brother, two days after they filed a joint application for marriage registration at a sub-registrar office near here.
Neenu, who has vowed to stay with Kevin's family from now on, had pointed fingers at her parents also for their suspected involvement in the murder of her fiance.
The abduction and killing of the man has triggered widespread protests by the Congress and other opposition parties in Kottayam district.
A dawn-to-dusk hartal, called by the BJP and UDF in the district to protest the incident, brought Kottayam to a standstill.
Kevin and his relative Aneesh were abducted early on Sunday from the latter's residence by the gang that arrived in three vehicles.The gang later left Aneesh by the roadside after torturing him brutally. He is currently admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital here.
Kerala Human Rights Commission has said it was suspected to be a case of honour killing and ordered the state police chief to submit a report in three weeks.
Sub inspector M S Shibu and Grade ASI Sunnymon of the Gandhinagar police station were on Monday suspended for laxity while Kottayam district superintendent of Police V M Mohammed Rafique transferred following the incident.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has described the incident as "unfortunate" and said it should not have happened.
(With PTI Inputs)
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