CBI probe sought into Mishel’s death

Father alleges foul play in probe

Facebook campaigners protest at the Marine Drive in this file photo against the alleged apathy of the police in probing the death of Mishel Shaji Varghese.

A petition was filed in the Kerala High Court on Friday, seeking a CBI probe into the death of Mishel Shaji Varghese, a CA student, in the city.

The body of Mishel was found in the backwaters near Kochi wharf after she was reported missing from her hostel in the city.

In his petition, Mishel’s father Shaji Varghese said that according to the police, his daughter had gone to St. Antony’s Church at Kaloor on March 5, 2017.

She had left the church in the evening, travelled all the way to Vallarpadam bridge and jumped off the bridge into the backwaters.

The police version did not match the available evidence.

The police had arrested 26-year-old Cronin Alexander Baby on charges of abetment to suicide.

According to the police, Cronin, who was employed in Chhattisgarh, had harassed the girl and following the mental trauma, she had taken the extreme step.

The petitioner alleged foul play in the investigation.