In a case of multiple murders in a family, a 23-year-old man from Venjaramoodu of Thiruvananthapuram allegedly killed four of his family members, a friend and seriously injured his mother before consuming poison and surrendering to the police. The accused, Afan, reportedly walked into the Venjaramoodu police station around 6.15 pm on Monday, February 24, and confessed to killing six people (his mother had however not succumbed to her injuries). He also informed the police that he had left a gas cylinder open in his house and that he consumed poison.
The victims include his 13-year-old brother Ahsan, his friend Farsana, his paternal grandmother Salma Beevi, his paternal uncle Latheef, and Latheef’s wife Shahida. However, when the police reached the house, they found that his mother, Shemi, was alive and sustained serious injuries. She is currently undergoing treatment.
According to reports, he attacked all the victims using a hammer. The body of his uncle Latheef was found seated on the sofa in the living room and his wife’s body was found in the kitchen. Similarly, Farsana’s body was also found on a sofa with her face mutilated beyond recognition.
The murders had taken place across three locations – Venjaramoodu, SN Puram and Pangode. According to the police, he traveled nearly 25 km from his house in Venjaramoodu to Pangode, where he killed his grandmother first. He then continued another 4 km to Koonanvenga, where he murdered his uncle and aunt at their house. On the way back home, he picked up Farsana. After reaching home, he attacked Ahsan, Farsana, and his mother.
"Three cases have been registered at the Venjaramoodu and Pangode police stations. The incidents occurred between 10 am and 6 pm, but we cannot determine the exact timing of each murder, as we have not been able to take the accused's statement. He consumed poison and was taken to the hospital," Thiruvananthapuram rural SP Sudarshan KS told the media.
Vamanapuram MLA DK Murali told the media that Afan had also consumed poison before surrendering. “The accused is now admitted to the Medical College Hospital. He told the police that the family was under severe financial distress and had decided to die by suicide together. However, fearing that some may survive the poisoning, he took the extreme step of killing them himself,” the MLA said.
Police sources said that Afan’s father, who was running a spare parts business abroad, had returned recently on a visiting visa. His business had collapsed, leaving the family in heavy debt. Afan's mother is reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer. His younger brother Ahsan was a ninth-grade student at Venjaramoodu School. A relative meanwhile told the media that Afan was upset that the family wasn’t giving him money, however the police are yet to confirm this.
Further investigation is underway.