Thiruvananthapuram mass murder: Police suspects financial liabilities forced Affan to commit crime

Thiruvananthapuram: The investigation team probing the sensational Venjaramoodu mass murder case believes that the family's severe financial liabilities might be the primary reason behind the tragedy. Police have discovered that Shemi, the mother of the accused, Affan, has a debt of ₹65 lakh.

After murdering his grandmother, Salma Beevi, Affan pawned her gold ornaments and received ₹74,000, out of which ₹40,000 was transferred to creditors through his bank account. Following this, he went to S.N. Puram, where he killed his father’s brother and the latter’s wife. 

The family was struggling financially, and Affan’s father, who was abroad, was also facing a financial crisis. Affan found it difficult to manage his mother’s medical expenses and his brother’s education. His lack of a job, inability to meet daily expenses, and difficulties in making a decision regarding his marriage with the girl he loved left him disturbed. Meanwhile, his mother was reportedly contemplating a collective suicide. Investigators believe these circumstances ultimately drove Affan to commit the murders.

His father, Raheem, who has financial liabilities in Saudi Arabia, has been unable to send money home. It was found that Shemi, who was suffering from cancer, had borrowed money from locals and close relatives for her treatment. Reports also suggest that Affan attempted to sell their house to settle the debts.

On Thursday, Affan and Farsana pawned gold to clear some of their debts, according to police reports. However, Raheem, who runs a business in Saudi Arabia, claimed he had no financial liabilities in India and that his debts were only in Saudi Arabia. He also stated that he was unaware of his family’s financial troubles or Affan’s relationship issues with Farsana.

Meanwhile, police are convinced that Affan meticulously planned the murders. Just before killing Farsana, he sent his brother, Afsan, to Venjaramoodu to buy Kuzhimanthi (a rice and meat dish). CCTV footage of Afsan traveling in an auto-rickshaw and purchasing Kuzhimanthi surfaced the previous day.

It is suspected that Affan strategically sent his brother away from home before murdering Farsana. The last person he killed was his brother, Afsan. After murdering his grandmother, father’s brother, the latter’s wife, and Farsana, he is believed to have consumed alcohol. Reports suggest that he spent about ten minutes in a bar before meeting Farsana.

Police suspect that he bought alcohol from the bar, returned home, and consumed the drink mixed with poison. The investigation team believes that Affan’s mother, Shemi, who is undergoing treatment, may be able to reveal the exact reasons that led him to commit the brutal crime. 

Authorities are also trying to record Affan’s statement. Investigators have gathered testimonies from Farsana’s relatives and are collecting statements from Affan’s family members. The mobile phones of Shemi and Affan have been handed over for forensic examination.