Kottayam/Kollam: The nine accused in the Kevin murder case have been charged with murder and other crimes, though they stand firm in their submission that the victim had ran out of the vehicle in which he was abducted and died of drowning.
The police report filed in the court has imposed charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, forced entry into the house of the victim, destruction of property, and inflicting physical injury by thrashing.
The accused continued to be grilled by a police team headed by ADGP Anil Kant, IG Vijay Sakhare and SP Harishankar on Thursday also.
The police think Kevin's brother-in-law Sanu, the prime accused, and his father Chacko stick to their statements under legal advice. They repeat their argument that the newly married youth died fleeing the car.
Sanu and Chacko were repeatedly questioned together as well as separately to see if they would shift their statements.
(Inset) Sanu Chacko and his father Chacko, accused in Kevin murder case.A major challenge the police is facing is that the post-mortem report is rather hazy, offering a primary finding that Kevin died of drowning. Investigators suspect that he was thrown into the river after he fell unconscious from continuous thrashing. A final post-mortem report will be available only after scientific tests like the diatom, which examines the water from the river and from Kevin's lungs, are completed.
Sanu, the first accused; his father Chacko, listed as fifth accused, and Manu Raveendran the sixth accused have been remanded to police custody until 05.00 pm on June 4.
The government lawyer sought seven days' custody, but the court said more number of days could be decided at the next hearing, depending on the progress of the probe.
Other accused Niyas Mon, Ishan, Reyas, Shefin and Nishad are under judicial custody. Arrested ASI Biju and police driver Ajaykumar were produced in court.
The nine accused in police grip
First accused: Sanu Chacko, 26, brother of Neenu, who led the gang of killers.
Second accused: Niyas Mon aka Chinnu, 23, led the assault.
Third accused: Ishan, 20, drove Sanu's car.
Fourth accused: Reyas, 26, son of Neenu's maternal uncle.
Fifth accused: Chacko John, 50, father of Sanu and Neenu, is the main plotter.
Sixth accused: Manu Muraleedharan, 26, partner in the crimes.
Seventh accused: Shefin, 27, partner in the crimes.
Eighth accused: Nishad, 24, partner in the crimes.
Ninth accused: Titu Jerome, 24, drove the vehicle in which Kevin was abducted.
The Five absconding: Neenu's mother Rehna Beevi, Rameez, Fasal, Shanu, Shinu.
Neenu Chacko's mother Rehna.Rehna seeks anticipatory bail
Rehna, meanwhile, has moved to obtain anticipatory bail, considering the possibility of being charged as a partner in the conspiracy to murder Kevin. The police are trying to seize her before she gets bail.
The investigators, however, haven't yet listed her as an accused. They feel Chacko and Sanu have placed her at a secure location before they surrendered. She was found at her Thenmala house last Sunday, the day of the kidnap and death of Kevin.
The police are searching for her in Tamil Nadu also. A team visited Thenkasi and Tirunelveli on Thursday.
Accused being taken to Thenmala
The police team will take the accused to Thenmala on Friday for gathering of evidence. Among spots the team will visit with the accused are Chaliyakkara stream where Kevin's body was spotted and the rubber plantations where the vehicles used by the accused were found hidden.
The accused may not be taken together. Chacko, Sanu and Niyas may also be taken to Chacko's house at Ottakkal where the plot was hatched.
Report sought on arrest
The first-class judicial magistrate at Ettumanoorhas asked the police for a report on the arrest of two accused in the Kevin case as they arrived to surrender in the court room. Lawyers for Shefin and Nishad submitted a petition that this is the second such incident after the arrest of Pulsar Suni, an accused in the actress assault case, and that this kind of police action is not desirable. The court accepted the agument and sought a police explanation.
Shefin and Nishad are under remand for 14 days. Their bail pleas will be heard today.
