A charred body, suspected to be that of prominent educationist Mohammed Abdul Aziz Taha, was discovered on the morning of Tuesday, December 31, in a partially constructed building at the PA Aziz College of Engineering near Thiruvananthapuram.
The police reported that the body was 80% burned. A mobile phone and a car, both belonging to the college’s owner, Mohammed Abdul Aziz Taha, were found near the scene, heightening suspicions. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and an investigation is underway.
According to sources, a suicide note was discovered in the phone’s media gallery. The note, captured as a photograph a few days prior, suggests that the act was prompted by a financial crisis.
State Food Minister GR Anil, whose constituency includes the college, expressed concern about the mysterious circumstances of the incident. “Only a DNA test will confirm the identity of the deceased,” he stated. To verify the identity, police plan to collect blood samples from Taha’s relatives.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Taha on the college premises the previous night. Locals speculated that ongoing financial and administrative troubles may have played a role in the incident. “The college faced significant challenges after losing its accreditation and being downgraded to a polytechnic institution. Salaries were delayed, debts accumulated, and students struggled to obtain their certificates after graduation,” a resident near the site commented.
Reports also indicate that two individuals had visited the college a day earlier and caused a commotion over an issue related to a cheque.
The PA Aziz College of Engineering, established in 2003 under the PA Aziz Trust, was one of Kerala’s first private engineering colleges following the liberalization of professional education under the AK Antony government. The institution is affiliated with the University of Kerala and, since 2017, with the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University under the Kerala government.
However, like many private engineering colleges, it faced a severe decline in enrollment in recent years, leading to financial difficulties. Several such institutions have since closed down in the state.
(With IANS inputs)
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.