Kerala Dalit Christian Kevin Joseph murder case: Kottayam court to pronounce verdict today (August 14)

Kottayam: The Kottayam principal sessions court will pronounce its judgment in the Dalit Christian Kevin Joseph murder case on Wednesday (August 14). The court began the trial of the case on April 24.

Also read:  Kevin Joseph murder case: Kerala Dalit Christian youth forcibly drowned, forensic experts tell court

Earlier, the Kerala high court had asked the Kottayam principal sessions court to pronounce the verdict within six months. However, the court will pronounce the verdict within three months.

The prosecution said Kevin, son of Joseph Jacob of Platharayil house, near Kottayam, was abducted and murdered by a gang led by Syanu Chacko, brother of Kevin’s wife Neenu Chacko, as the victim belonged to a lower caste.

In May 2018, the 23-year-old Kevin was allegedly killed by a gang of 14 people for marrying 20-year-old Neenu, who is from a wealthy family in Kerala.  Kevin was in a relationship with Neenu. The latter couldn't get the approval of her parents, who were worried that their “prestige was at stake”, given his financial status.

A day after he was abducted, Kevin's body was found floating in a river on May 28. His head, eyes and internal organs were severely injured. Kevin and Neenu were married for three days and were forced to live separately.

Neenu’s parents were arrested after she complained to the police that they were involved in the crime.

In May, experts of the forensic department in Kerala stated in the Kottayam principal sessions court that Kevin was forcibly drowned.  The report revealed that Kevin had a large amount of water in his lungs and there were indicators that he struggled while he was drowning.

Kevin was conscious when he fell into the water and at the time of the incident, the water in the pond was at knee level, stated the report.

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