A man from Kodinhi in Malappuram district was found dead in a drain on Thirurangadi-Kodinhi road on Saturday. The deceased - who has been identified as Faisal P alias Aneesh Kumar, son of Ananthan Nair - had reportedly converted to Islam six months ago.
Kondotty police inspector Muhammed Haneefa confirmed to The News Minute that Faisal was found with injuries seemingly caused due to sharp weapons. The police suspect that he might have been hacked to death. Reports say that there were gaping wounds on Faisal’s head.
According to the police, the victim was working in Riyadh and had embraced Islam there. “Four months ago, he returned home and after that his wife and three children also converted to Islam,” the police officer said. Media reports state that since his return, Faisal had been receiving death threats from his relatives and locals over his religious convertion.
On Saturday, Faisal left home early in the morning around 4am to pick up his father-in-law from Tanur Railway station.
“His body was found by the prayer leader of Kodinhi mosque around 4.30 am. He was the one who informed the police,” the officer said. The auto-rickshaw he drove was found abandoned near the dead body.
Police also suspect that Faisal might have been attacked near his house and his body abandoned in the drain.
Inspector-general (Kannur range) Jinendra Kashyap and district police chief Debesh Kumar Behra inspected the crime scene on Saturday.
Muslim organisations in Kodinhi conducted a protest march seeking the immediate arrest of the alleged murderers. However, Kodinhi Mosque committee has urged Muslim organisations to not to conduct protest as the issue was sensitive.