Death of Kasaragod man: 595 gold sovereign missing, body exhumed after family raises suspicion

Poochakadu (Kanhangad): The body of an NRI businessman was exhumed in Kasaragod to conduct a post-mortem after his family raised doubts over his death. 

Poochakkad native MC Gafoor Haji (55) was found dead in his bedroom in the wee hours of April 14 by his nephew. His wife, daughter and daughter-in-law were away from the house when the incident happened.

He was buried in a cemetery adjoining Hydros Juma Masjid in Bekkal. However, the family filed a complaint to Bekal Police alleging foul play in the death of Gafoor Haji. 

Following this, the police and forensic officials exhumed the body and conducted the post-mortem in the cemetery premises. Police surgeon Dr SR Saritha of the Kannur Government Medical College performed the post-mortem. The samples collected from the body were sent to a forensic lab in Kannur to determine the cause of death. 

In a complaint filed to the Chief Minister, Opposition leader, Secretary of the Home Department, and State Police Chief, the family alleged that 595 sovereigns of gold in Gafoor Haji's possession had gone missing. It was alleged that days before his death, Haji is said to borrowed gold from many people. 

It remains ambiguous why Haji, the owner of a supermarket chain in Sharjah, borrowed large amounts of gold from his relatives and friends.