Read the below given Case Study along with the media reports and

complete the given Exercise/Workshop.

Case study - 1

Kevin P.Joseph 23 a newly-wed Dalit-Christian hailing from SH mount in

Kottayam, who was abducted allegedly by his wife’s relatives, was found dead
in a rivulet at Chaliyekkara near Punalur in the early hours on 28.05.2018.

The murder, presumably a case of honour killing, also triggered a huge

debate about the State’s actual achievements in social inclusion as the
deceased youth, Kevin P.Joseph, belonged to a family of converted Christians
and his wife Neenu Chacko, 20, a second year B.Com student, belonged to the
family of an inter-religious married couple, her father a Catholic and mother a
muslim.

Kevin and Neenu got married at a civil marriage ceremony on May 25.
Neenu’s family had tried to take her away with the help of the police, but she
returned and took a room at women’s hostel here. Kevin, apparently fearing
attack from Neenu’s relatives, had gone to relative’s house after leaving her at
the hostel.

On 27.05.2018, the youth was dragged out of the house and taken in a
car along with one of his relatives who was later released by abductors.

According to media sources On 28.05.2018 morning, Kevin’s body was

found in a canal near Thenmala in Kollam. It also came to light that despite the
best efforts of Neenu and the youth’s parents lasting several hours on Sunday,
the Gandhi Nagar police had refused to accept a complaint sought to be filled
by them seeking urgent steps to trace the youth. The abductors were
subsequently identified as Neenu’s close kin and their friends.

At the Police Station

It all began after Kevin and Neenu registered their marriage at the
Ettumanur sub registrar office on 25.05.2018. Following a complaint lodged by
Neenu’s relatives she was missing for a couple of days, the Gandhi Nagar Police
summoned the newly-wed couple to the Police Station on 26.04.2018. However
Neenu prepared to go with her husband, this provoked her relatives.

As per the media news Kevin was staying at his cousin Anish’s house at
Mannanam, near the city, while Neenu was in a hostel. Early on 27.05.2018, a
gang attacked the house and kidnapped Kevin and Anish. Kevin’s Father was
at the police station on the same day, pleading with the sub-inspector to help
trace his 23-year-old son who had been kidnapped overnight by relatives of the
girl he married. But the police did not budge. They told him they were busy
with Chief Minister’s visit to the district. Around noon, Anish was dropped
back home by the gang. They claimed Kevin had escaped from their custody.
But early on 28.05.2018 morning, Kevin’s body had been found in a canal.

After the Incident

 SHO at the Gandhi Nagar police station, who was placed under
suspension on day one.
 GD charge G.ASI Sunny Mon was suspended.
 Patrolling Charge ASI T.M Biju and Driver CPO were suspended.
 Two Policemen later arrested.

By Express News Service

KOTTAYAM: Finally, the special investigation team (SIT) probing the death of
Kevin P Joseph put together the turn of events with regard to his abduction
and ensuing death. According to SIT sources, Kevin had escaped from the gang
and accidentally fell into the rivulet.The SIT arrived at this conclusion on the
basis of the statement given by Aneesh Sebastian, Kevin’s cousin, who was also
abducted, and the information received from the accused during interrogation.

“As per statements of Aneesh and the accused, Kevin escaped from the
gang around 4.45 am on May 27. Though the gang members roamed the area
for two to three hours searching for Kevin, they could not find him and hence
they left the place by 8 am. In the meantime, Kevin might have fallen in the
water,” said highly placed sources.

SIT sources said Syanu Chacko and Niyas are the key accused in the
case. “While Syanu planned and arranged finance for the crime, Niyas held the
operational charges and arranged gang members and logistics. The accused in
the case are friends of Niyas,” they said.At the same time, the SIT is unlikely to
change the murder charge slapped on the accused, though Kevin’s death was
believed to be due to drowning. “Autopsy report and circumstantial evidence
indicate the incident as a case of drowning. However, we have sought the help
of the medical board to check whether there were any other options, taking into
account the reports of the autopsy and inquest as well as nature of injuries,”
said Kottayam SP Harisankar.

Harisankar added the SIT will go ahead with IPC section 302 (murder)
against the accused and let the court decide whether it should be changed to
IPC 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
The SIT also commenced collecting evidence from the spot along with the
accused on Sunday. Taking into account the importance and sensation of the
case, the evidence collection was done under the direct leadership of Kochi
Range IG Vijay S Sakhare. While speaking to reporters, Sakhare said there
were no contradictions in the statements of the accused and the police would
do their best to ensure maximum punishment for the accused.

The 14 accused in the case, Niyas, Fazal, Riyas and Vishnu were taken
to Chaliyekkara, near Thenmala, where Kevin was found dead in a rivulet on
May 28. The SIT also recovered four daggers and mobiles phone as material
objects from the house of Vishnu. Meanwhile, the accused maintained Kevin
had escaped from them, when they arrived at Chaliyekkara. The accused Fazal
and Niyas showed the way through which Kevin had reportedly run away

Exercise
1. Is there any failure while dealing this case? What are they?
2. Is there any mistakes in handling the media?
3. Is the patrolling team acted properly?
4. Whether the public opinion affected the police action?
5. As an SHO what action should be taken?