Crime Branch yet to make headway in Mishel case
KOCHI: Even after a month since the mysterious death of CA student Mishel Shaji Varghese, the Crime Branch (CB) is yet to make headway in the case. The CB sleuths could not go beyond the findings of the local police, which investigated the case in the initial stage.
Crime Branch officers said they were looking into various angles that led to the death of the 18-year-old girl. However, they refused to divulge more details citing the inquiry was under way.
Considering the snail’s pace at which the probe is progressing, it is learnt further proceedings, including filing of chargesheet, will also be delayed.
Crime Branch SP P K Madhu, who was leading the probe team, was transferred and DySP Sasidharan has been given charge of the probe.
The body of the Mishel was found in the backwaters near Kochi wharf on March 6. So far, the investigators have not received any clues which point out any reason for the death, other than suicide.
The police had arrested Cronin Alexander Baby,26, on charges of abetment of suicide. According to the investigators, Cronin, who was employed in Chhattisgarh, had harassed the girl and following the mental trauma, she took the extreme step.