Kerala Youth Kills Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt, Brother And Girlfriend Over Debt; Father Disputes Confession
After the murders, Afan attempted suicide by poisoning but survived. He later confessed at Venjaramoodu police station. Police recovered the murder weapon and confirmed that he acted alone
A horrific incident unfolded in Vengaramudu, Kerala, where a 23-year-old man confessed to murdering four family members and his girlfriend on February 24 2025. The victims were his younger brother Afsan, grandmother Salma Biwi, uncle Latif, aunt Shahida, and girlfriend Farsana. His mother, Shemi, survived the attack and is currently hospitalised.
Reports suggest that the accused, Afan, committed the murders due to severe financial pressure and debt. His father, Abdul Rahim, worked in Saudi Arabia but had suffered a business loss of approximately Rs 15 lakh. Unable to send money home, the family faced mounting financial strain.
related stories
On the day of the incident, Afan allegedly first attacked his mother. He then went to his grandmother’s house, where he killed her, stole her gold chain, and sold it for Rs 15,000. He then proceeded to his uncle and aunt’s house, and when they refused to give him money, he killed them as well. Finally, he killed his younger brother and his girlfriend.
Following the murders, Afan attempted suicide by consuming poison but survived. He then went to Venjaramoodu police station and confessed to his crimes. The police recovered the murder weapon and confirmed that Afan acted alone.
Afan’s father, Rahim, was in Saudi Arabia facing legal and financial difficulties when the murders took place. Devastated by the news, he maintained that he was unaware of his son’s intentions.
On February 28, Rahim returned to Kerala after resolving his legal issues. He is now committed to supporting his remaining family and cooperating with the police investigation.
Rahim disputes his son’s confession, stating that his business had been successful until the pandemic caused financial hardship. He had even planned to bring Afan to the Gulf for a good job opportunity.
“I was running a shop on rent from a sponsor. I had to pay 6,000 riyals every month. Earlier I used to earn well. I had a big house, I bought a lot of property. I had good relations with relatives too. After the pandemic, things became difficult. Then I took money on interest, did business and slowly started repaying it. I borrowed money from Yemeni people. I borrowed money by showing shop licence, Iqama and witnesses," Rahim explained.
“I was dealing in money, but the business started declining slowly. I was trying to somehow manage between paying the sponsor, running the household expenses and sending money to the family. Later, I borrowed money twice more. I took a loan of 30,000 riyals. I repaid some, but the rest was left. There was a person from Palakkad for whom I had become a guarantor. He suddenly returned home, so his liability also came on me. I had borrowed money from him too, we both were guarantors for each other. When he did not return, the entire debt came on me. I still have to pay 28,000 riyals to a person from Yemen," he said.
Rahim clarified, “I did not tell the police that I have a debt of Rs 65 lakh. My debt in the country is only around Rs 5 lakh. I had also taken a loan from Central Bank of India. I was not going home just to repay all the debt. I was planning to set everything right by working hard for two-three more years."
Rahim had intended to secure a good job for Afan in the Gulf and is bewildered by the turn of events. “He started driving water tankers in Kazhakoot two months ago, leaving each morning and returning by 10-11 pm. To further support the family, he also worked as a food delivery boy. He was determined to shoulder the household responsibilities, even offering to manage without my financial assistance. However, I’m uncertain if he engaged in any other activities with his friends during this time."
Speaking about his son’s possible affair with a girl, Rahim shared, “My wife told me that he had feelings for a girl. This was corroborated by my niece, who had seen him with the girl, riding a bike. I dismissed it lightly, saying it’s commonplace these days."
- Location :
- First Published: