Kottayam: In a strong indictment of police inaction, the Ettumanoor Judicial First Class Magistrate Court said on Wednesday said the force actively aided and abetted the murder of Kevin.
The court, hearing the plea for police custody of accused Riyas, Niyaz, and Ishan, said this was an offence much more grave than passive inaction. The magistrate said it was clear that the criminal gang which abducted the young man and reportedly killed him later had the 'clear' support of the police and those in power.
(The police had taken into custody assistant sub-inspector Biju and police patrol driver Ajayakumar earlier. Both of them were suspended form service). Sources said Ajayakumar admitted to accepting Rs 10,000 as bribe for helping the gang. He tried to flee during grilling at the Ettumaur police station. The police had to chase and seize him.
Kevin P Joseph and SI ShibuThe court corroborated and analyzed the following information:
Kevin and cousin Anish had some friends with them at the former's house in Mannanam until 1 am Sunday. New information suggests that it was a police patrol party that informed the killer gang that the friends had left. And the patrol stayed on in the vicinity of the house until the goons attacked the house and kidnapped Kevin and Anish.
The police had come across the cars carrying the goons on two occasions, but they turned a blind eye. Besides, they gave the gang directions to reach the house. The police probe team collected CCTV visuals from nearby buildings to substantiate this.
Court censures authorities
The court criticised the authorities for the shoddy handling of the murder case. The magistrate said the criminals were 'strong enough' to receive the support of the powers be, right from the lowest level.
The crime was carried out after detailed planning, the said. One realized on seeing the developments that some people were 'running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.'
Goons stay put
The gang of killer goons was waiting outside the Gandhinagar police station at 11 am Sunday as Kevin's wife, Neenu, was at the station to lodge a complaint. Kevin's cousin Anish told the police that the gang was waiting to forcefully take Neenu away.
Anish had told the Gandhinagar police that the gang that kidnapped him and Kevin were waiting outside, but the police did not act. Anish said in the complaint that the gang which picked up Anish and Kevin from their house at 2.30 am Sunday had released him at Samkranti, 2.5 km away from the police station.
Three more arrested
The police arrested three more gang members. Nishad, 24, of Punalur and Shibin, 27, of Maruthaman surrendered at the Ettumanur court. They turned up with a lawyer. Titu Jerome, 24, surrendered after attempting surrender at the Peerumade court. Nishad and Shibin tried to flee as the magistrate was not present, but the police managed to seize them. The lawyer then filed a complaint against the police action.
Jerome from Thannithadam in Kollam district, owner and driver of one of the three cars used for the abduction, was arrested after his plea for surrender was rejected by the Peerumade court. He was then taken to Kottayam, taking the total number in custody to nine. The police were on the lookout for five more.
Two more vehicles seized
The police took into custody two vehicles used by the killers from Kollam. Titu Jerome's car was found hidden in a rubber plantation near his house. Forensic and fingerprint experts examined the cars. Rehana, Neenu's mother, remained un-traceable.
