The chargesheet in the sensational Anchal murder case was filed by the CBI on Tuesday, before Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate. The basis for the case is the murder of 24-year-old unwed mother Ranjini and her 17-day-old twins, which took place at Anchal in Kollam district in February 2006.
Divil Kumar B, 28, from Anchal, who is alleged to be the father of the two murdered children is accused in the case, along with Rajesh P, 33, from Sreekandapuram, Kannur. Both of them were Indian Army personnel attached to the 45 AD Regiment in Pathankot. Both had been absconding after the incident, and declared by the Army as ‘deserters’ in March 2006.
The murder reportedly took place at Yeram, near Anchal, at around 11.30 am on February 10, 2006 in the rented house where Ranjini and her two daughters were staying. According to the FIR, Divil was in a relationship with Ranjini and she gave birth to the twins on January 24, 2006. Ranjini’s mother had gone to the panchayat office to get the birth certificates of the twins, but when she returned, found Ranjini and the twins dead.
Rajesh got himself introduced to Ranjini and her mother while they were at the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for the delivery. He then frequently visited their house and promised to help Ranjini in getting legally married to Divil.
According to the CBI, the Kerala State Women’s Commission had decided to conduct a DNA test on Divil to determine the parentage of the twins, and had sent a notice to him. This was the immediate cause that led to the brutal murders, said the FIR.
The case, which was initially investigated by the local police, was taken over by the CBI in February, 2010 following an order of the Kerala High Court. Records available with the Army unit where Divil was serving showed that he went on leave from January 6, 2006 to March 3, 2006. The CBI had declared a reward of Rs 50,000 for providing information on the accused that could help lead to their arrests. This was increased to Rs 2 lakhs.