- By Imran Zafar
- Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:01 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
A 23-year-old man from Kerala, arrested for the brutal murders of five people, including his girlfriend, confessed that he committed the crimes due to frustration over his father’s mounting debts, police said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Affan, initially remained uncooperative but later admitted that financial distress and harassment over his father’s debts drove him to the killings.
According to police, on Monday, between 10 am and 5:30 pm, Affan allegedly went on a rampage across three different locations in Venjaramoodu on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. He murdered his 22-year-old girlfriend, his younger brother, his grandmother, his father’s sister and her husband, Lateef. He also attacked his mother, leaving her for dead, but she survived the assault.
Doctors treating Affan’s mother reported on Wednesday that her condition is improving and she has started responding. Meanwhile, police recovered the hammer used in the murders. Investigators discovered that after killing his grandmother, Affan pawned her gold for Rs 70,000, using Rs 40,000 to repay a loan.
Following the murders, Affan surrendered to the police, claiming he had consumed poison. He was admitted to the state-run Medical College Hospital, where he remains under police custody. Though his condition is improving, further statements are yet to be recorded. Police also found that he was under the influence of alcohol during the killings.
Affan’s father, Rahim, who ran a failed business in Saudi Arabia, had accumulated heavy loans, leading to Affan’s frustration. Authorities are making efforts to bring Rahim back to India. However, he remains stranded in Saudi Arabia due to issues with his travel documents.