Kottayam: Kevin P Joseph, the 23-year-old youth who was brutally butchered by a gang of 13 for falling in love with 20-year-old Neenu from a wealthy family, was buried in the presence of thousands of people at Good Shepherd Church cemetery in Kottayam on Tuesday evening.
According to police, Kevin was kidnapped and murdered by the gang hired by Neenu's parents and brother, sending shock waves across Kerala. Her brother Sanu Chacko, the main accused, and parents were arrested from Kannur before Kevin was buried.
After the autopsy at Kottayam Medical College, Kevin's body was taken to his house at Nattassery. After seeing the casket with Kevin's body, Neenu broke down and refused to let go off his body, leaving the crowd in tears.
The body was then taken to the church, where the funeral prayers were held. Kevin's relatives, political party workers and others thronged both his house and church to catch a last glimpse of the youth.
'Did not get justice'
Earlier, Neenu told reporters in Kottayam that she did not get justice from the police.
The police did not move even after she appealed to the sub-inspector that Kevin's life was in danger and he should be rescued, she claimed. Bursting into tears, she said she was Kevin's wife and would stay in his house.
Relatives of Kevin have alleged he was tortured and killed by the gang engaged by Neenu's brother Sanu two days after the couple filed a joint application for marriage registration at a sub-registrar office near here.
Sources said it was on the parents' instructions that the murder was carried out. However, the father has denied the allegations.
Kottayam tense
Unruly scenes were witnessed at Kottayam Medical College Hospital where the autopsy was held. CPM workers tried to manhandle former Kerala minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan when he visited the hospital.
The police also clashed with workers of various political parties. Life came to a standstill in Kottayam district following a dawn-to-dusk hartal called by various political parties and Dalit organisations to protest the killing. Shops, markets, and business establishments remained closed in several parts of the district while private bus terminus in various towns wore a deserted look in view of the hartal called by political parties, including Congress-led UDF and the BJP.
'Pinarayi should take responsibility'
Former chief minister and Congress working committee member A K Antony said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan should take responsibility for the alleged lapse on the part of police in dealing with the case.
Antony said there was a grave lapse on the part of the police in dealing with the case and it cannot be justified.
"The government and CM has to take the responsibility for this', he said. He also said it was not proper for the Kerala society to remain silent over the honour killing.
In a similar incident, a girl was killed allegedly by her father in Malappuram a month ago, Antony said adding "now another honour killing has happened" in the state. These honour killings actually point to the degradation of cultural and social values, he said.
(with PTI inputs)