Police not sure whether Grover verdict is victory or

setback

Mumbai, Jun 30 (PTI) Mumbai Crime Branch, which probed the sensational murder of TV executive Neeraj Grover in 2008, today reacted cautiously to the verdict pronounced by a local court which held the two accused guilty of lesser offences."We would go through the verdict and examine what reasons the court has cited while holding accused, Emile Jerome and Kannada actress, Maria Sussairaj, guilty of various offences," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy."At this moment we cannot say if it is a victory or a setback. We cannot make any comments without going through the verdict," he maintained.The Sessions Court found Jerome, a former Navy officer, guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.Besides, he and his girlfriend Maria were convicted for causing disappearance of evidence.Asked whether the police would go in appeal, Roy said, "We will examine on what basis the verdict was given and consult our legal experts before deciding on the course of action." According to the prosecution, Jerome had gone to Maria''s residence in suburban Malad on May 7, 2008 where he got into a fight with Grover (26) during which the naval officer stabbed the victim to death. Maria and Jerome later cut Grover''s body into pieces and disposed it in forest in neighbouring Thane.Both were charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, common intent and destruction of evidence.