(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The sheer persistence of the parents of a newly married Indian woman, who went missing in Dubai 10 years ago, to find the truth has borne results with her husband arrested in Kerala recently for her suspected murder.
The missing woman's parents have now appointed advocate Shamsudheen Karunagappilly of Al Kabban Advocates & Legal Consultants in Dubai to reopen the case here and investigate it as a criminal case rather than a missing one "based on new evidence".
The case, which was investigated by the police forces of Kerala in India and Dubai and the Interpol, saw many twists and turns.
The woman, Smitha Antony, who was 25 years old then, was reported missing by her husband, Sabu Antony, two days after her arrival in Dubai. During the course of investigation, Antony submitted a letter to the Dubai Police purportedly written by Smitha, in which she stated that she was eloping with her lover. Based on forensic tests conducted by the Interpol on the letter, the Kerala Police have concluded that the letter was written by Antony himself.
In light of this development and Antony's arrest last month, Smitha's parents have, through their legal representative, put in a request at Al Rafaa police station to reopen the case. The Kerala Police have also said they will hand over the evidence they collected to the Dubai Police.
Advocate Karunagappilly told Khaleej Times that they will request the Indian government to make the necessary arrangements to bring Antony to Dubai so that the police here can question him in connection with the case.
Karunagappilly said Antony had a "big role" in his wife going missing and the "forged letter proves this". He did not rule out the possibility that others may be involved in the case as well.
When Smitha went missing, Karunagappilly said, she was wearing 204g of gold. "Currently, the case file is with the Dubai Police Headquarters," he said.
Karunagappilly said he will seek a joint investigation by the Dubai Police, Kerala Police and the Interpol.
According to Indian media reports, in response to the forgery charges, Antony's father has claimed that his son did not commit the forgery, but some other Malayalee non-resident Indians did.
The case so far
Smitha hails from Edapalli in Cochin. Antony brought her to the UAE on a visit visa on September 1, 2005. He took her to a shared accommodation in Karama. On September 3, he reported her missing at Al Rafaa police station.
He contacted her family and told them that she eloped with a doctor. He told them she had written in the letter that she had married him just to reach Dubai and elope with her lover. He faxed a copy of the letter to them as well.
On the day he registered a missing complaint, Smitha's relative went to his house to understand what happened. There, this relative saw a woman in the bedroom. Antony and the relative had a fight after this and the police had to be called in.
Antony then attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the window but was arrested along with his woman friend.
The relative was sentenced to six months in jail to be followed by deportation, while Antony and his woman friend were sentenced to one month in jail for having an illicit relationship. He continued to work in Dubai after his release.
Meanwhile, Smitha's relatives approached authorities in Kerala, accusing Antony of either pushing Smitha into a sex racket or murdering her. An Indian court directed the Indian Consulate in Dubai to advertise on different channels to seek information from the public about the missing woman, but to no avail. After some years, Antony left Dubai and went to the US.
In 2011, Antony went back to India and filed for divorce from Smitha on grounds of adultery. After being granted divorce, he married another woman.
On request from Smitha's family, the Kerala Police's elite crime branch investigated the case. The police brought Antony from the US to Kerala on February 9 and placed him under arrest for Smitha's suspected murder. -amira@khaleejtimes.com
Timeline
September 1, 2005: Smitha Antony joins her husband, Antony, in UAE. The couple moves to a shared accommodation in Karama.
September 3, 2005: Antony reports his wife missing at Rafaa police station.
September 3, 2005: Antony has a scuffle with Smitha's relative after the latter finds a woman in his apartment. A Dubai court later sentences Antony to one month in jail for having an illicit relationship with the woman.
2011: Antony files for divorce from Smitha in an Indian court on grounds of adultery.
February 9, 2015: Kerala Police bring Antony to India from the US and place him under arrest for Smitha's suspected murder.
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