Malankara Varghese murder case - Revision history

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	~~{{Multiple issues\|~~
	~~{{Orphan\|date=December 2021}}~~
	{{update\|date=April 2019}}		{{update\|date=April 2019}}
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=October 2015}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=October 2015}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=October 2015}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=October 2015}}
	The '''Malankara Varghese Murder Case''' is a case regarding the death of '''T. M. Varghese''' also known as Malankara Varghese, a member of [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]'s managing committee and a timber merchant on 5 December 2002. He was hacked to death by a gang outside a car workshop on main central road near [[Perumbavoor]]. Though the murder was initially described as a result of business rivalry, his relatives suspected involvement of a rival church faction. India's [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] on 9 May 2010 charged Father Varghese Thekkekara, a priest and manager of the [[Angamali]] diocese in the rival [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] (a part of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]) with conspiracy in the murder and named him as the prime accused.<ref>{{cite news \|url=~~http~~://~~articles.~~timesofindia.indiatimes.com~~/2010-05-09~~/india/~~28288878_1_christian~~-priest-~~timber~~-~~merchant~~-~~murder~~\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062608/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-09/india/28288878_1_christian-priest-timber-merchant-murder\|url-status=~~dead~~\|archive-date=11 August 2011\|work=[[The Times of India]]\|title=Kerala hits priest with murder rap\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sightindia.com/en/malayalam-daily-9063.html\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Fr Varghese in custody \|publisher= Sight India\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.kerala.com/news_kerala_Malankara_Varghese_murder_0_4683.html\|title=Malankara Varghese murder : Christian priest main accused\|publisher= Kerala News\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article268102.ece\|title=Kerala Christian priest faces murder charge \|publisher= [[The New Indian Express]]\|date= 7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11043&SKIN=K\|title=Christian priest prime accused in murder case \|publisher= Haindavakeralam\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref>		The '''Malankara Varghese Murder Case''' is a case regarding the death of '''T. M. Varghese''' also known as Malankara Varghese, a member of [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]'s managing committee and a timber merchant on 5 December 2002. He was hacked to death by a gang outside a car workshop on main central road near [[Perumbavoor]]. Though the murder was initially described as a result of business rivalry, his relatives suspected involvement of a rival church faction. India's [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] on 9 May 2010 charged Father Varghese Thekkekara, a priest and manager of the [[Angamali]] diocese in the rival [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] (a part of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]) with conspiracy in the murder and named him as the prime accused.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-hits-priest-with-murder-rap/articleshow/5908455.cms\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062608/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-09/india/28288878_1_christian-priest-timber-merchant-murder\|url-status=live\|archive-date=11 August 2011\|work=[[The Times of India]]\|title=Kerala hits priest with murder rap\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sightindia.com/en/malayalam-daily-9063.html\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Fr Varghese in custody \|publisher= Sight India\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.kerala.com/news_kerala_Malankara_Varghese_murder_0_4683.html\|title=Malankara Varghese murder : Christian priest main accused\|publisher= Kerala News\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article268102.ece\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224021439/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article268102.ece\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=24 December 2014\|title=Kerala Christian priest faces murder charge \|publisher= [[The New Indian Express]]\|date= 7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11043&SKIN=K\|title=Christian priest prime accused in murder case \|publisher= Haindavakeralam\|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref>

	==Investigation==		==Investigation==
	Initially, the murder of Varghese was considered a crime conducted by his business rivals, but five years of probe by the state police’s crime branch yielded nothing conclusive. Varghese’s widow then approached the [[Kerala High Court]], and it ordered a CBI investigation in November 2007. The CBI’s Chennai unit then accused 19 people of the murder and said it was possibly due to the long-standing feud between the [[Malankara Orthodox Church]] which has its headquarters in [[Kottayam]] and the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]], which has its headquarters in [[Ernakulam]]. When the CBI arrested Joy Varghese alias "Cement Joy", he confessed that he had hired the criminals who committed the murder for a large sum of money.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/malankara-vargheese-murder-priest-prime-accused_153037.html\|title=Malankara Vargheese murder; Priest prime accused \|publisher= [[Asianet (TV channel)\|Asianet]] \|date= 8 May 2010}}</ref> Chief Judicial Magistrate [[Ernakulam]] allowed Joy Varghese to be in CBI custody for more investigation. Murder, scheming murder, and violation of ‘Weapons Prevention Act’ etc. were the charges against Joy Varghese. It was alleged that one of the reasons for suspects not getting arrested was political interference.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=91264\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Priest faces murder charge\|publisher=[[Mathrubhumi]]\|date=8 May 2010\|access-date=10 May 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716073223/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=91264\|archive-date=16 July 2011\|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Some prominent personalities of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch]] in India were the motive force behind Joy Varghese and there are documents showing withdrawal of Rs. 400,000.00 from their bank accounts", said CBI.{{citation needed\|date=April 2019}} CBI produced documents to the High Court in a sealed envelope. [[Catholicose of the East]] Designate Paulose Mar Milithios of the [[Malankara Orthodox Church]] expressed his contentment over the CBI actions and hoped for the prevailing of justice in the Malankara Varghese murder case.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.orthodoxherald.com/2010/04/08/malankara-varghese-murder-case-2nd-suspect-arrested\|title=Malankara Varghese Murder Case: 2nd Suspect Arrested\|publisher= Indian Orthodox Herald \|date= 8 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://news.bizhat.com/2010/malankara_varghese_murder_christian.html\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Christian priest main accused\|publisher= BizHat.com\|date= 8 May 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.kaumudi.com/news/050810/kerala.stm#1\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Christian priest main accused\|publisher= [[Kerala Kaumudi\|Kaumudi]]\|date= 8 May 2010 }}</ref>		Initially, the murder of Varghese was considered a crime conducted by his business rivals, but five years of probe by the state police’s crime branch yielded nothing conclusive. Varghese’s widow then approached the [[Kerala High Court]], and it ordered a CBI investigation in November 2007. The CBI’s Chennai unit then accused 19 people of the murder and said it was possibly due to the long-standing feud between the [[Malankara Orthodox Church]] which has its headquarters in [[Kottayam]] and the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]], which has its headquarters in [[Ernakulam]]. When the CBI arrested Joy Varghese alias "Cement Joy", he confessed that he had hired the criminals who committed the murder for a large sum of money.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/malankara-vargheese-murder-priest-prime-accused_153037.html\|title=Malankara Vargheese murder; Priest prime accused\|publisher=[[Asianet (TV channel)\|Asianet]]\|date=8 May 2010\|access-date=10 May 2010\|archive-date=11 May 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511122011/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/malankara-vargheese-murder-priest-prime-accused_153037.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chief Judicial Magistrate [[Ernakulam]] allowed Joy Varghese to be in CBI custody for more investigation. Murder, scheming murder, and violation of ‘Weapons Prevention Act’ etc. were the charges against Joy Varghese. It was alleged that one of the reasons for suspects not getting arrested was political interference.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=91264\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Priest faces murder charge\|publisher=[[Mathrubhumi]]\|date=8 May 2010\|access-date=10 May 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716073223/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=91264\|archive-date=16 July 2011\|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Some prominent personalities of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch]] in India were the motive force behind Joy Varghese and there are documents showing withdrawal of Rs. 400,000.00 from their bank accounts", said CBI.{{citation needed\|date=April 2019}} CBI produced documents to the High Court in a sealed envelope. [[Catholicose of the East]] Designate Paulose Mar Milithios of the [[Malankara Orthodox Church]] expressed his contentment over the CBI actions and hoped for the prevailing of justice in the Malankara Varghese murder case.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.orthodoxherald.com/2010/04/08/malankara-varghese-murder-case-2nd-suspect-arrested\|title=Malankara Varghese Murder Case: 2nd Suspect Arrested\|publisher= Indian Orthodox Herald \|date= 8 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.bizhat.com/2010/malankara_varghese_murder_christian.html\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Christian priest main accused\|publisher=BizHat.com\|date=8 May 2010\|access-date=10 May 2010\|archive-date=23 August 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823052239/http://news.bizhat.com/2010/malankara_varghese_murder_christian.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.kaumudi.com/news/050810/kerala.stm#1\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Christian priest main accused\|publisher=[[Kerala Kaumudi\|Kaumudi]]\|date=8 May 2010\|access-date=10 May 2010\|archive-date=13 July 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713140838/http://www.kaumudi.com/news/050810/kerala.stm#1\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	The [[Kerala High Court]] on 1 June 2010 asked the Central Bureau of Investigation why Fr Varghese Thekkekkara, the first accused in the Malankara Varghese murder case, was not arrested, if there was evidence against him. The CBI submitted that Fr Thekkekkara cooperated with the investigation, but the arrest was avoided since it was a sensational case related to the church. But the court said this was not a sufficient reason to avoid arrest. "It is not the first time that a priest is arrayed as an accused. Does the CBI has a practice of not arresting those who cooperate with the investigation?," the court asked. Justice K Hema asked this while considering the anticipatory bail application filed by Fr Thekkekkara, and petition filed by Varghese’ widow Saramma alleging that the CBI was showing discrimination in arresting the accused.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article426396.ece\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: HC questions CBI\|publisher= [[The New Indian Express]]\|date= 1 June 2010 }}</ref>		The [[Kerala High Court]] on 1 June 2010 asked the Central Bureau of Investigation why Fr Varghese Thekkekkara, the first accused in the Malankara Varghese murder case, was not arrested, if there was evidence against him. The CBI submitted that Fr Thekkekkara cooperated with the investigation, but the arrest was avoided since it was a sensational case related to the church. But the court said this was not a sufficient reason to avoid arrest. "It is not the first time that a priest is arrayed as an accused. Does the CBI has a practice of not arresting those who cooperate with the investigation?," the court asked. Justice K Hema asked this while considering the anticipatory bail application filed by Fr Thekkekkara, and petition filed by Varghese’ widow Saramma alleging that the CBI was showing discrimination in arresting the accused.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article426396.ece\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129013412/http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article426396.ece\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=29 November 2013\|title=Malankara Varghese murder: HC questions CBI\|publisher= [[The New Indian Express]]\|date= 1 June 2010 }}</ref>

	On 11 June 2010, [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] Managing Committee endorsed a motion, which "appeals to the authorities to bring all culprits into daylight and to judicial trial, who are behind the brutal murder of Malankara Varghese, former Malankara Managing Committee Member".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.orthodoxherald.com/2010/06/11/malankara-managing-committee-passes-budget-for-rs-290-80-crores-four-new-dioceses/\|title=Malankara Managing Committee Passes Budget for Rs. 290.80 Crores; Four New Dioceses - Indian Orthodox Herald - Breaking Catholicate, Malankara, Indian Orthodox Church News And Doctrinal Information\|work=orthodoxherald.com}}</ref>		On 11 June 2010, [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] Managing Committee endorsed a motion, which "appeals to the authorities to bring all culprits into daylight and to judicial trial, who are behind the brutal murder of Malankara Varghese, former Malankara Managing Committee Member".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.orthodoxherald.com/2010/06/11/malankara-managing-committee-passes-budget-for-rs-290-80-crores-four-new-dioceses/\|title=Malankara Managing Committee Passes Budget for Rs. 290.80 Crores; Four New Dioceses - Indian Orthodox Herald - Breaking Catholicate, Malankara, Indian Orthodox Church News And Doctrinal Information\|work=orthodoxherald.com}}</ref>

	On 16 June 2010 Father Varghese Thekkekara surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ernakulam. The magistrate M N K Leelamani granted bail to him on furnishing a bond of Rs 25,000 plus two sureties for the like amount.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.chennaionline.com/national/Priest-accused-in-murder-case-surrenders/\|title=Priest accused in murder case surrenders\|publisher=ChennaiOnline\|date=16 June 2010}}{{~~Dead~~ link\|date=~~March 2020~~ \|bot=~~InternetArchiveBot~~ \|~~fix-attempted~~=~~yes~~ }}</ref>		On 16 June 2010 Father Varghese Thekkekara surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ernakulam. The magistrate M N K Leelamani granted bail to him on furnishing a bond of Rs 25,000 plus two sureties for the like amount.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.chennaionline.com/national/Priest-accused-in-murder-case-surrenders/\|title=Priest accused in murder case surrenders\|publisher=ChennaiOnline\|date=16 June 2010}}{{dead link\|date=June 2024\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}</ref>

	On 25 February 2011 The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, directed the CBI to reinvestigate the murder of Malankara Varghese, on a petition filed by his wife, Saramma Varghese. She alleged that the charge sheet submitted by the CBI did not have the names of ‘higher ups' involved in the conspiracy to kill her husband.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/27/stories/2011022761300600.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305223520/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/27/stories/2011022761300600.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=5 March 2011 \| location=Chennai, India \|work=[[The Hindu]] \| title=Order to reinvestigate murder \| date=27 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article401119.ece\|title=CBI ordered to probe Malankara Varghese murder\|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/court-directive-reinvestigate-malankara-varghese-murder-case_245248.html \|title=~~Archived copy~~ \|accessdate=2011-04-01 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228181603/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/court-directive-reinvestigate-malankara-varghese-murder-case_245248.html \|archivedate=28 February 2011 \|df=dmy-all }}</ref>		On 25 February 2011 The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, directed the CBI to reinvestigate the murder of Malankara Varghese, on a petition filed by his wife, Saramma Varghese. She alleged that the charge sheet submitted by the CBI did not have the names of ‘higher ups' involved in the conspiracy to kill her husband.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/27/stories/2011022761300600.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305223520/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/27/stories/2011022761300600.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=5 March 2011 \| location=Chennai, India \|work=[[The Hindu]] \| title=Order to reinvestigate murder \| date=27 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article401119.ece\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224021436/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article401119.ece\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=24 December 2014\|title=CBI ordered to probe Malankara Varghese murder\|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/court-directive-reinvestigate-malankara-varghese-murder-case_245248.html \|title=Court directive to re-probe Malankara Varghese murder case \|accessdate=2011-04-01 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228181603/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/court-directive-reinvestigate-malankara-varghese-murder-case_245248.html \|archivedate=28 February 2011 \|df=dmy-all }}</ref>
	On 21 October 2011 the CBI unit, Thiruvananthapuram quizzed [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] Catholicos [[Baselios Thomas I]] in connection with the murder case. The Catholicos appeared before the CBI at its office in Kochi. According to CBI sources, he was quizzed by the officials for three hours.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malankara-varghese-murder-case-leads-to-church/195422-60-122.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714071045/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malankara-varghese-murder-case-leads-to-church/195422-60-122.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2012-07-14\|title=Malankara Varghese murder case leads to Church\|work=IBNLive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://twocircles.net/2011oct21/cbi_questions_head_syrian_jacobite_church_murder_case.html\|title=CBI questions head of Syrian Jacobite Church in murder case\|work=twocircles.net}}</ref>		On 21 October 2011 the CBI unit, Thiruvananthapuram quizzed [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] Catholicos [[Baselios Thomas I]] in connection with the murder case. The Catholicos appeared before the CBI at its office in Kochi. According to CBI sources, he was quizzed by the officials for three hours.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malankara-varghese-murder-case-leads-to-church/195422-60-122.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714071045/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malankara-varghese-murder-case-leads-to-church/195422-60-122.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2012-07-14\|title=Malankara Varghese murder case leads to Church\|work=IBNLive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://twocircles.net/2011oct21/cbi_questions_head_syrian_jacobite_church_murder_case.html\|title=CBI questions head of Syrian Jacobite Church in murder case\|work=twocircles.net\|date=21 October 2011 }}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
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	[[Category:Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]		[[Category:Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]
	[[Category:Malayali people]]		[[Category:Malayali people]]
	[[Category:Deaths by ~~blade~~ weapons]]		[[Category:Deaths by edged and bladed weapons]]
	[[Category:Year of birth missing]]		[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
	[[Category:2002 murders in India]]		[[Category:2002 murders in India]]

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← Older revision		Revision as of 10:22, 30 May 2022
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			{{Multiple issues\|
			{{Orphan\|date=December 2021}}
	{{update\|date=April 2019}}		{{update\|date=April 2019}}
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	[[Category:2002 ~~crimes in India]]~~		[[Category:2002 murders in India]]
	~~[[Category:2000s~~ murders in India]]
	~~[[Category:2002 murders in Asia~~]]

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{{update|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
The '''Malankara Varghese Murder Case''' is a case regarding the death of '''T. M. Varghese''' also known as Malankara Varghese, a member of [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]'s managing committee and a timber merchant on 5 December 2002. He was hacked to death by a gang outside a car workshop on main central road near [[Perumbavoor]]. Though the murder was initially described as a result of business rivalry, his relatives suspected involvement of a rival church faction. India's [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] on 9 May 2010 charged Father Varghese Thekkekara, a priest and manager of the [[Angamali]] diocese in the rival [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] (a part of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]) with conspiracy in the murder and named him as the prime accused.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-09/india/28288878_1_christian-priest-timber-merchant-murder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062608/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-09/india/28288878_1_christian-priest-timber-merchant-murder|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Kerala hits priest with murder rap|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sightindia.com/en/malayalam-daily-9063.html|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Fr Varghese in custody |publisher= Sight India|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.com/news_kerala_Malankara_Varghese_murder_0_4683.html|title=Malankara Varghese murder : Christian priest main accused|publisher= Kerala News|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article268102.ece|title=Kerala Christian priest faces murder charge |publisher= [[The New Indian Express]]|date= 7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11043&SKIN=K|title=Christian priest prime accused in murder case |publisher= Haindavakeralam|date= 9 May 2010}}</ref>

==Investigation==
Initially, the murder of Varghese was considered a crime conducted by his business rivals, but five years of probe by the state police’s crime branch yielded nothing conclusive. Varghese’s widow then approached the [[Kerala High Court]], and it ordered a CBI investigation in November 2007. The CBI’s Chennai unit then accused 19 people of the murder and said it was possibly due to the long-standing feud between the [[Malankara Orthodox Church]] which has its headquarters in [[Kottayam]] and the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]], which has its headquarters in [[Ernakulam]]. When the CBI arrested Joy Varghese alias "Cement Joy", he confessed that he had hired the criminals who committed the murder for a large sum of money.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/malankara-vargheese-murder-priest-prime-accused_153037.html|title=Malankara Vargheese murder; Priest prime accused |publisher= [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] |date= 8 May 2010}}</ref> Chief Judicial Magistrate [[Ernakulam]] allowed Joy Varghese to be in CBI custody for more investigation. Murder, scheming murder, and violation of ‘Weapons Prevention Act’ etc. were the charges against Joy Varghese. It was alleged that one of the reasons for suspects not getting arrested was political interference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=91264|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Priest faces murder charge|publisher=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=8 May 2010|access-date=10 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716073223/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=91264|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Some prominent personalities of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch]] in India were the motive force behind Joy Varghese and there are documents showing withdrawal of Rs. 400,000.00 from their bank accounts", said CBI.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} CBI produced documents to the High Court in a sealed envelope. [[Catholicose of the East]] Designate Paulose Mar Milithios of the [[Malankara Orthodox Church]] expressed his contentment over the CBI actions and hoped for the prevailing of justice in the Malankara Varghese murder case.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orthodoxherald.com/2010/04/08/malankara-varghese-murder-case-2nd-suspect-arrested|title=Malankara Varghese Murder Case: 2nd Suspect Arrested|publisher= Indian Orthodox Herald |date= 8 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bizhat.com/2010/malankara_varghese_murder_christian.html|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Christian priest main accused|publisher= BizHat.com|date= 8 May 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kaumudi.com/news/050810/kerala.stm#1|title=Malankara Varghese murder: Christian priest main accused|publisher= [[Kerala Kaumudi|Kaumudi]]|date= 8 May 2010 }}</ref>

The [[Kerala High Court]] on 1 June 2010 asked the Central Bureau of Investigation why Fr Varghese Thekkekkara, the first accused in the Malankara Varghese murder case, was not arrested, if there was evidence against him. The CBI submitted that Fr Thekkekkara cooperated with the investigation, but the arrest was avoided since it was a sensational case related to the church. But the court said this was not a sufficient reason to avoid arrest. "It is not the first time that a priest is arrayed as an accused. Does the CBI has a practice of not arresting those who cooperate with the investigation?," the court asked. Justice K Hema asked this while considering the anticipatory bail application filed by Fr Thekkekkara, and petition filed by Varghese’ widow Saramma alleging that the CBI was showing discrimination in arresting the accused.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article426396.ece|title=Malankara Varghese murder: HC questions CBI|publisher= [[The New Indian Express]]|date= 1 June 2010 }}</ref>

On 11 June 2010, [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] Managing Committee endorsed a motion, which "appeals to the authorities to bring all culprits into daylight and to judicial trial, who are behind the brutal murder of Malankara Varghese, former Malankara Managing Committee Member".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orthodoxherald.com/2010/06/11/malankara-managing-committee-passes-budget-for-rs-290-80-crores-four-new-dioceses/|title=Malankara Managing Committee Passes Budget for Rs. 290.80 Crores; Four New Dioceses - Indian Orthodox Herald - Breaking Catholicate, Malankara, Indian Orthodox Church News And Doctrinal Information|work=orthodoxherald.com}}</ref>

On 16 June 2010 Father Varghese Thekkekara surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ernakulam. The magistrate M N K Leelamani granted bail to him on furnishing a bond of Rs 25,000 plus two sureties for the like amount.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.chennaionline.com/national/Priest-accused-in-murder-case-surrenders/|title=Priest accused in murder case surrenders|publisher=ChennaiOnline|date=16 June 2010}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 25 February 2011 The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, directed the CBI to reinvestigate the murder of Malankara Varghese, on a petition filed by his wife, Saramma Varghese. She alleged that the charge sheet submitted by the CBI did not have the names of ‘higher ups' involved in the conspiracy to kill her husband.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/27/stories/2011022761300600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305223520/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/27/stories/2011022761300600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2011 | location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Order to reinvestigate murder | date=27 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article401119.ece|title=CBI ordered to probe Malankara Varghese murder|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/court-directive-reinvestigate-malankara-varghese-murder-case_245248.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-04-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228181603/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/court-directive-reinvestigate-malankara-varghese-murder-case_245248.html |archivedate=28 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
On 21 October 2011 the CBI unit, Thiruvananthapuram quizzed [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] Catholicos [[Baselios Thomas I]] in connection with the murder case. The Catholicos appeared before the CBI at its office in Kochi. According to CBI sources, he was quizzed by the officials for three hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malankara-varghese-murder-case-leads-to-church/195422-60-122.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714071045/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malankara-varghese-murder-case-leads-to-church/195422-60-122.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-14|title=Malankara Varghese murder case leads to Church|work=IBNLive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://twocircles.net/2011oct21/cbi_questions_head_syrian_jacobite_church_murder_case.html|title=CBI questions head of Syrian Jacobite Church in murder case|work=twocircles.net}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Varghese}}
[[Category:Murder in India]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]
[[Category:Crime in Kerala]]
[[Category:People murdered in India]]
[[Category:Criminal investigation]]
[[Category:Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:Deaths by blade weapons]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:2002 crimes in India]]
[[Category:2000s murders in India]]
[[Category:2002 murders in Asia]]