THRISSUR: Neethu, the girl who died in Thrissur yesterday after set ablaze by her stalker, had sent a friend request for Nidheesh. The two became close after that and were in a relationship for years. The youth brought her home and introduced her to his mother. Frankly speaking I didn’t like it. But, later I liked her as she lost her parents at a very young age and her behaviour was also good. She was staying with her grandmother and maternal uncle.

“I considered her as my daughter-in-law. She had texted me the day before she died. I had sent her a watch through my son and she texted me soon after getting it. I don’t know what happened after that. My brother called me in the morning and asked me where Nidheesh was. When I told him that he had gone for work, he asked me to switch on the TV. I was shocked after watching it. I couldn’t believe it,” Ratnakumari, mother of Nidheesh, the accused who stabbed the girl.

She said, “My second son is abroad. He gave me a watch when he came for vacation. I presented that watch to her. Soon after that she texted me saying that she liked the watch. I don’t know what happened after that.” I feed her when she comes home. She attends all functions arranged at our house. He used to gift her clothes on all important festivals like Onam and Vishu.

Nidheesh was subjected for an eight-hour long surgery at a hospital in Ernakulam last month. The doctor who treated him is presently in Dubai. The next surgery is in August. Due to high tension, blot clots in some of his nerves. At times he bleeds a lot. He has not told his father about this as he had suffered cardiac arrest twice. His friends accompanied him for the surgery. He borrowed money from me saying that he has to attend some class. I am still on the girl’s side. I don’t know the reason for her to reject his proposal. He was tensed on losing her. She was from a high class family and we from a middle class. After pursuing MBA, he was working in an IT Company. I didn’t find him in his bed when I woke up at 4 am yesterday morning. When I tried to contact him, he was out of coverage area. He is not of criminal nature, I don’t know what actually happened, she said.