Kerala honour killing case: Two cops in custody for having ties with Kevin murder accused

Another ‘honour killing’ in Kerala; this time it lays bare casteism in Kerala Christian community

Kevin P Joseph, a 23-year-old man from Nattassery, Kottayam, Kerala married Neenu Chacko, a 21-year-old Syrian Catholic Christian woman from Thenmala, Kollam, Kerala, Friday, May 25.

The boy was a Dalit Christian, a lower caste, while the woman belonged to what is perceived as an 'upper class' among Kerala Christians.

Affront to dignity

Neenu’s family apparently found it an affront to their dignity and social position as Kevin belonged to a Dalit Christian family. Neenu’s father Chacko John is a Malankara Syrian Catholic, but ironically he himself had broken the rules of his society. He transgressed the boundaries of cast and religion by marrying a woman from Muslim community. Neenu’s mother Rehna was converted to Christianity, but it is obvious that caste and class are thicker than love and faith in Kerala... https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/india/another-honour-killing-in-kerala-this-time-it-lays-bare-casteism-in-kerala-christian-community-1.2229347 

An audio clipping of the talk between ASI Biju and main accused Shanu Chacko was being aired by the TV channels.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/may/30/kerala-honour-killing-case-two-cops-in-custody-for-having-ties-with-kevin-murder-accused-1821459.html


Kerala man’s murder: Wife’s father, brother held

On Tuesday, opposition Congress, BJP and Dalit groups organised protests and called a hartal in Kottayam district. Kevin’s body was handed over to his family, and it was buried later.

A senior police officer said Neenu’s family opposed the wedding since Kevin came from a Dalit Christian family. Kevin, who had an electrical engineering diploma, had worked in Dubai for a brief period, the officer said, and the Chackos come from a financially sound Christian family.

“Chacko himself had married a Muslim woman but the family was opposed to their daughter marrying a Dalit Christian,” the officer said. “After making several attempts to have the wedding cancelled, involving Kevin’s parents and the police as well, and bring Neenu back, they made a plan to kidnap Kevin. They hoped that Neenu will return after that. But she was firm in her decision.”... http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-groom-murder-wifes-father-brother-held-5196321/

Kerala 'Honour Killing': Two Cops in Custody Over 'Links' With Dalit Youth's Killers

His relatives have alleged that he was tortured and killed two days after he and his fiancee filed a joint application for marriage registration at a sub-registrar office near here.

So far 14 persons have been named as accused, he said. They will be charged under various sections of IPC including 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

Sub-Inspector M S Shibu and Grade ASI Sunnymon of the Gandhinagar police station were on Tuesday suspended for laxity while Kottayam District Superintendent of Police V M Mohammed

Rafique was transferred following the incident... https://www.news18.com/news/india/kerala-honour-killing-two-cops-in-custody-over-links-with-dalit-youths-killers-1764233.html