KOTTAYAM: Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Saturday said that police had erred in the Kevin abduction and murder case.

“The Superintendent of Police showed laxity despite direction issued by the Chief Minister. It is time for introspection to recast police force,” the Minister told a news channel.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Sub-Inspector T.M. Biju who was suspended for aiding the abduction of Kevin Joseph and accused of taking bribe from Sanu Chacko (the prime accused in the case), secured bail here.

Police patrol jeep driver Ajay Kumar was also granted bail by the court. The court rejected police application seeking the custody of the two.

Biju and Ajay, during a night patrol on May 26, had intercepted a car used by the gang to abduct Kevin. The duo had allowed the vehicle (that had its number plate hidden) to proceed after taking a bribe.

Inspector-General of Police Vijay Sakhre, who is heading the probe, said the mistakes committed by the cops was being looked into. “The report will be submitted to the DGP,” he said.
Police also collected evidence from Kevin’s widow Neenu Chacko.

Minister demands CBI probe. Meanwhile, Union Minister Alfons Kannanthananam called for a CBI into the case. “Only a CBI probe can bring out the truth and the role of some police officers in the case,” he said.

At the same time, the CPI-M has organised a meeting in Kottayam on Monday to clarify doubts after news spread that the party leaders had supported the accused persons. The party’s State Secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, would address the meeting.

Police questioned a CPI-M leader whom the abductors had met before abducting Kevin. Footage of CCTV cameras showed the leader having a discussion with the abductors.

The leader informed the police that he met them because there were some DYFI leaders in the gang. There have been allegations that a CPI-M leader had shown the abductors the way to Kevin’s hiding place.

Ironically, Kevin and his father Joseph are CPI-M sympathisers. In fact, Joseph had approached party leaders when the police refused to register a complaint after Kevin was abducted. It was only after the party leader’s insistence that police registered the complaint.