Chandy seeks MEA help in getting nurse’s body from Oman

Thiruvananthapuram, April 28 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday wrote to the Indian embassy in Oman and also to the ministry of external affairs (MEA) in New Delhi seeking early transfer of the body of a nurse who was found murdered in Salalah last week.

The 25-year-old nurse, Chikku Robert, who was five months pregnant, was found with multiple stab injuries at her apartment in Salalah by her husband, who also works in the same hospital.

On the night of April 21, on not finding his wife on duty at the hospital, Chikku's husband, who was on duty, called her on her phone.

After getting no response, he went to their apartment close by and found her lying in a pool of blood.

Chandy's office told IANS that the chief minister has written to officials in India and Oman to ensure that the body is sent to the state for the last rites without any more delay.

"We know that a probe is going on to find out the accused. We wish that the body is sent at the earliest and the state government will ensure that her husband is sent back to Oman for police to complete the formalities in the investigation," said an aide of Chandy.

The chief minister was responding to a request from the nurse's uncle who on Thursday met him and sought his intervention.

"Chandy has assured that the state government will do everything to see that the body is brought at the earliest," the nurse's uncle told IANS.

Police in Oman have so far taken statements from several of Chikku's friends, colleagues and her husband, as part of the investigation.

A Pakistani national was also questioned by police and let off.