Antony stabbed Smitha, Devayani tells CB sleuths

TRIPUNITHURA: In a major twist to the 10-year-old missing case of Edappally native Smitha George, the crime branch on Thursday collected vital information from Devayani, a key suspect in the case. Devayani, currently known as Annie Varghese, was taken into custody from Kannur on Wednesday and brought to Kochi to record her statement in the sensational case dating back to 2005.
The crime branch was after Devayani since the investigation was handed over by local police. During interrogation, Devayani confessed that Smitha was stabbed by Antony with a knife on September 3, 2005 at her residence. Though she was not arrested, the crime branch will seek the court's permission to record her statement proving Antony's involvement in the case under Section 164 (recording of confessions and statements) of the CrPC. Antony was married to Devayani and later to Smitha.
Devayani was working in Kuwait as a mess assistant. After seeing the look-out circular, Devayani was sent to Kerala by her employer to appear before the special investigation team. On arrival, she was taken into custody by Kannur crime branch SP P N Unniraja.
"As per Devayani's confessions, she saw Smitha in a pool of blood and Antony holding a blood-strained knife at her residencial camp on September 3. Though she tried to prevent Antony from attacking Smitha, he threatened and stabbed her hand. With two stab injuries Devayani fled the scene. When she returned at night, she could not find Antony and Smitha," said DSP Biju K Stephen. He also said that Devayani's statement is yet to be verified. "While giving the statement, she expressed her willingness to undergo polygraph and narco analysis tests, Biju, said. Earlier, Antony had refused to undergo polygraph test when the crime branch approached court.
The investigating team is yet to find out the reasons behind the fight between Smitha and Antony that had led to the attack. Antony, who was granted bail in the case, was asked to appear before the investigation team on Wednesday. As Antony had threatened Devayani, she was shifted to a safe place by the officials.