Kottayam: The Additional Sessions Courts- IV, Kottayam, framed charges against 14 persons accused in Kevin murder case.
Considering the case, Judge KG Sanal Kumar found enough evidence to frame charges of murder against the accused.
The charge sheet describes the attack as honour killing. It also listed the death as a case of homicidal drowning, amounting to intentional killing.
The accused are slapped with 11 charges, including murder and conspiracy. The counsel of the accused argued that murder charges won't stand as there was no proof of intentional killing. The court, however, rejected the plea.
The accused were identified as Shyam Chacko, his friends Niyas Mon, Niyas Ismail, Riyas, Chacko, Manu Muraleedharan, Shifin Sajad, N Nishad, Tittu Jerome, Vishnu, Fazil Sherif, Shanu, Shinu and Reneesh.
The court is now slated to consider the case on March 20 for scheduling of the final trial.
Kevin was kidnapped along with his relative Aneesh in the early hours of May 27, 2018, by a gang led by Shyanu Chacko in separate vehicles just days after he moved papers to marry Chacko's sister Neenu Chacko. Kevin's body was found in a canal near Thenmala on May 28.
Kevin's father Joseph was present in court during the hearing.