Italian citizen booked for plotting partner's murder

A Kerala-origin woman holding an Italian citizenship has been booked here for allegedly conspiring to kill her live-in companion.
Fifty six-year-old Jyothi, alias Jacintha George, who was adopted by an Italian family when she was 10, is facing charges in connection with the death of Vinod Kumar (51), who was found murdered at his house at Valanchery here on Friday.
Though she had an Italian citizenship and properties inherited from her step-parents in that country, Jyothi had been living in Kerala for some years after converting to Hinduism and started living with her partner.
However, police said, her Italian citizenship is not likely to hinder launching of criminal proceedings against her.

According to police, Jyothi, upset over Vinod's recent marriage with another woman in Kundara in Kollam district, had plotted the murder and executed it with the help of their family friend, Yusuf.
"Jyothi actually hails from a family in Thodupuzha in Idukki district. She was adopted by an Italian couple when she was 10 years old. She is now very rich and owns properties in India and Italy," Valancherry Circle Inspector K G Suresh told PTI.

Though she had not legally married Vinod, a gas agency owner, hailing from Ernakulam, they had been living together for several years and have a 24-year-old son, police said.

"She had sought Yusuf's help to commit the crime and offered him money for that. After hacking Vinod to death, Yusuf had made a cut on Jyothi's throat to divert the investigation and she is now hospitalised," he said.
However, following the woman's contradictory statements, police grew suspicious and questioned Yusuf in detail following which he spilled the beans.
"Yusuf is already under police custody. Jyothi is now admitted to a hospital in Perinthalmanna under police survillance. We will take her into custody soon after she is released," he said.
The officer said the Italian Embassy would be informed soon after she was taken into custody as part of a formal procedure.

A case has been registered under IPC 302 and 34 against both the accused, police added.