Kottayam: Forensic department experts in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram made a crucial revelation before the Kottayam additional district sessions court during a hearing of Dalit Christian Kevin Joseph’s murder case. According to the report, Kevin was forcibly drowned.

In May 2018, 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.

Experts from the forensic department in Kerala stated that there was no possibility that the death of Kevin was an accident or suicide. 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.

The report was submitted by Kottayam Medical College forensic department doctors VM Rajeev, Santhosh and medical board chairperson Sasikala.

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 police that they were involved in the crime.