Johnson Ouseph, the accused in the murder of Athira in Kadinamkulam, has been remanded in judicial custody following his arrest early Tuesday.
The accused, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam following suspicion that he consumed poison prior to his apprehension a few days ago, was brought to the Kadinamkulam police station around 2.30 a.m.
S. Manjulal, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Attingal, who addressed media persons, said Johnson had come into contact with Athira on Instagram through a shared interest in posting reels. Their online interaction led to a closer relationship, with Johnson, who is divorced, allegedly pressurising Athira to leave her family and move in with him. He had also taken a house on rent for the purpose. However, when Athira refused to abandon her family, Johnson purportedly planned the murder.
On January 21, Johnson travelled to Athira’s house, where he allegedly overpowered her and stabbed her in the neck in her bedroom with a knife hidden in his shirt. After the murder, Johnson stole Athira’s scooter and fled. The vehicle was later found abandoned at the Chirayinkeezhu railway station.
The accused initially travelled to Alappuzha, but when he learned that the police were closing in on him, he fled to Chingavanam in Kottayam. He was finally caught when he arrived at a house where he had previously worked as a home nurse.
The investigation team has gathered vital evidence including from a store at Valiyakada in Chirayinkeezhu where Johnson allegedly purchased the knife used in the crime. Moreover, the jeans purportedly worn by the accused on the day of the murder was recovered near the ticket counter at the Chirayinkeezhu railway station.
Published – January 28, 2025 10:55 pm IST
