Kottayam: Trial of the Kevin murder case began at Kottayam principal sessions court in Kerala on April 24. Neenu, wife of Kevin, gave her statement on May 2. Neenu was in tears when she mentioned at the court that it was a case of honour killing. 

Also read: Kevin murder case: Wife Neenu to give statement in Kottayam court

Neenu's statement was against her father Chacko, an acquaintance Niyas, and police officer Shibu. Neenu said at the court that her father was against her relationship with Kevin because he belonged to a backward caste. Neenu said that her father repeated spoke of how their family's prestige was at stake if Neenu married Kevin.

The wife also added that her father and brother were the reason for Kevin's death and she has the responsibility to take care of Kevin's parents, and thus she is staying with Kevin's family. She then said that police officer Shibu had attacked Kevin and forced her to go with her father. Neenu added that the police officer forcefully made her write on paper that she is willingly going with her parents. 

Neenu said that Niyas had threatened her several times while stating that she wouldn't be allowed to be with Kevin. In May last year, Kevin P Joseph, the 23-year-old, was brutally butchered by a gang of 14 for allegedly marrying 20-year-old Neenu, who is from a wealthy family in Kerala.

Earlier on April 24, the main witness in Kevin murder case, Aneesh, gave his statement in court and identified the seven accused among the 14.

Also watch: Trial of Kevin murder case begins nearly a year after incident

All accused in the case allegedly came dressed in white to confuse the witnesses on April 24. Hence, witness Aneesh failed to identify Neenu’s father. Hence, Neenu's statement proves to be crucial in this case.