Joseph, Maria in police custody till May 29

Mumbai, May 22 (UNI) Naval officer M L Jerome Joseph and aspiring Kannada actress Maria Monica Susairaj have been remanded in police custody till May 29 in connection with the murder of Neeraj Grover.

The two were produced before a metropolitan court which remanded them in police custody. Joseph was brought here from Kochi earlier this morning.

The duo were arrested yesterday allegedly for murdering Neeraj Grover, creative head of Adlabs. While Joseph (25) has been arrested on charges of murdering Neeraj Grover, Maria(27) has been held for abetting in the crime.

An aspiring actress, Maria had come to Mumbai to try her luck in television serials. She became acquainted with Grover and had sought his help in securing roles for. The two became good friends, police said.

Joseph, upon learning about Maria and Grover's relationship, came to Mumbai on May 7 from Kochi where he was currently posted.

Finding Grover with Maria, Joseph allegedly stabbed the former to death. He then cut the body into pieces and stuffed the body parts in a gunny bag. He then took the body remnants to a secluded place in neighbouring Thane district and burnt them to avoid defection.

Maria had allegedly helped him in disposing off the body.

Neeraj Grover's parents had lodged a complaint with the police, saying, their son was missing and also stated that Neeraj had visited Maria's residence on May 6 last but had not returned thereafter.

Mumbai police arrested Maria yesterday and a police team was rushed to Kochi to bring Joseph to Mumbai.

UNI ST MAZ GT GC1554