A 35-year-old transgender woman was found dead on the roadside in Kozhikode in the early hours of Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Shalu, a resident of Kannur, who had reached Kozhikode on Friday. She was found on the Shankunni Nair Road, near the KSRTC bus stand in Kozhikode. At around 9 am on Monday morning, residents of the neighbourhood discovered her body and alerted the Nadakkavu police station.

Meanwhile, the transgender community in Kozhikode have expressed a strong suspicion of foul play in her death.

“I strongly suspect that she was murdered. She had earlier complained to me about some people harassing her. But we will only know once the post mortem report is done and the police investigation is completed,” Sisly Georg, a transgender activist and founder of Punarani Cultural Society, which works for trans rights, told TNM.

Sisly also added that CCTV footage of two men have been retrieved by the police following the incident.

“Shalu might have been engaging in sex work and that brought her to the area where she was found dead. The police have identified two men caught on the CCTV camera. They were walking near the area. Now the investigation will go in that direction,” Sisily added.

The Nadakkavu police have filed an FIR under section 174 of the CrPC (Police to enquire or report on suicide, homicide, or death under suspicious circumstances) following a complaint by Sisily. Meanwhile the body of the deceased is being taken to the Kozhikode Medical College hospital for a post mortem.

“This is the first instance where a trans woman has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Kozhikode. We will take this matter up seriously and ensure that there is a thorough investigation,” Sisily added