Crime Branch to probe death of Kerala student

The mysterious death of an 18-year-old Chartered Accountant student has raised a storm in Kerala, as her family refuses to believe the police version that she killed herself. The netizens, including film starts, have raised voice demanding justice for Mishel Shaji Varghese, following which state government announced that the case would be investigated by the Crime Branch. 
 

Mishel, a native of Piravom, left her hostel in Kacheripadi to visit the church on March 5 and went missing. Her body was found drowned near Willington Island on March 6. Mishel's family allege that though they approached police to file a missing complaint, the officials were reluctant to register the complaint. Further, on Tuesday, after recovering her body, police officials stated that the girl committed suicide. 
 

However, the family members are not convinced with police report as there were no suspicious wounds or marks on her body. They also state that Mishel was a strong woman and would not kill herself. 
 

The incident has led to a huge outrage, and the hashtag #justiceformishel is trending on social media. Celebrities Nivin Pauly, Tovino Thomas, Srinda Arhaan, Rima Kallingal, Kunchacko Boban, Unni Mukundan Vineeth Sreenivasan and many others have also raised their voice demanding a probe into the case. 

Kochi police have arrested a person and questioned Cronin, 26, who allegedly tried to befriend Mishel. 
 

The girl was last seen coming out of a St Antony's Shrine in Kaloor, and two persons were seen following her on a motor bike. The parents are demanding a fuller probe and to identify the men who were following the girl on a bike. 

• Mishel Shaji Varghese
• Mishel
• student suicide
• student death