Kevin murder case: IG Vijay Sakare for medical board to decide on death

Kottayam: The police have sought the constitution of a medical board to give an expert opinion on the post-mortem and inquest report of Kevin P. Joseph, who was kidnapped and murdered by a gang on May 27. Kochi range IG Vijay Sakare told DC that he had asked the Director of Health Services (DHS) to constitute a medical board to reach a final conclusion. The post-mortem report suggested that Kevin had drowned.

The FIR registered on the basis of the statement of Anish, a relative of Kevin, also said that the accused had taken out Kevin from the car in which he was kidnapped to Chaliakkara, near Thenmala. The FIR said that Kevin, who overpowered a person who sat on top of him, ran and jumped into the river resulting in his drowning. The incident happened around 6 a.m., the post- mortem report suggested.

Mr Sakare said that the statement of Anish supported the contention that Kevin jumped into the river in a bid to escape. Meanwhile, the Ettumanoor first class magistrate court on Monday remanded five accused, Shanu Chacko, Chacko John, Riyas, Niyas and Ishan, for one day. They will be presented in the court on Tuesday. The police have charged murder case against 13 of the accused. The police took the accused for collecting evidence to various places in Kottayam on Monday, said district police chief Harisankar. The police were verifying their criminal background after seizing some weapons, he said.