Manama: Bahrain relatives of an Indian nurse murdered in Oman recently have expressed shock at fake media reports suggesting her husband was a suspect. Chikku Robert (28)  was found in a pool of blood on April 20 with multiple stab wounds all over her body.

She and her husband Linson Thomas worked at the Badr Al Samaa hospital in Salalah, Oman.

Chikku’s first cousin who works in a leading media firm in Bahrain urged the Indian media to restrain from reporting untrue facts about the biggest tragedy in their lives.

“The media is pathetic. All they want to do in sensationalise a news,” she told NOB (requesting anonymity).  She flews to their hometown in Eranakulum in the South Indian state of Kerala on Thursday night.

“We are all still devastated at the news. We can’t believe such a tragedy has happened in our family and what makes everything worse in having to face questions from the public who have seen  these fake reports in TV and newspaper.”

“This is so unfair and cruel. Linson is completely innocent and his life is now shattered after losing his wife and baby.”

Chikku and Linson were married last October and she was four months pregnant with their first child. The perfect couple’s life turned upside down when Chikku was brutally murdered, apparently in a robbery bid.

A Recap

Before leaving to India the cousin had exclusively told NOB the details of the incident.

Chikku was on night shift on that day. Linson, who works in the administrative department of the hospital, where she works as a nurse, had left for his 6pm to 11pm shift. She was supposed to join for her shift at 10pm. When she didn’t reach for work till 10.30pm, Linson tried to call her, but she didn’t respond. When Linson went to his apartment, he found the door locked. Later, he found her in a pool of blood. There were slashes all over her body and multiple stab wounds on her stomach,” the cousin said, and added: Linson immediately took her to hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.

Investigations revealed that the incident occurred around 7pm local time. The assailant had entered through the balcony. According to the postmortem report, multiple stab wounds were found on Chikku’s back, abdomen and legs. The assailant had brutally attacked Chikku in such manner that he even slashed her ear for her earring. He took all the gold ornaments and fled.

Unethical reporting frustrates loved ones

One of Chikku’s relative announced in his Facebook post that the news of Linson being a suspect in the case was not true. He explained that it is only procedural  for police in GCC countries to question people closely associated with the victim. Linson was not in “police custody”  as reported by  the Indian media. He was infact helping the police identify suspects.

The relative requested the public to not believe media reports that have been spreading absolutely fake information like Chikku was shot with a gun by her husband and other “absurd” news.

All this is adding more salt to the wound of the family and relatives who are still overcome by grief and yet to accept the gruesome truth that Chikku is no more.

Hundreds of people  have  already posted their comments on such false news shared by the Indian media on their social media accounts.

All of them criticise the unethical reporting and the eagerness of certain media to sensationalise a sensitive news with no attempt to clarify facts or even consider the bereaved family and relatives of the victim.