Kerala mass murder case: Afan, accused of killing 6 family members, attempts suicide in jail

Dubai: Afan, 23, the sole accused in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case, attempted suicide at Poojappura Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Sunday, according to media reports.

He allegedly tried to hang himself using a piece of cloth left to dry in the washroom while his cellmate was away.

He was quickly rushed to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital and is currently being treated in the intensive care unit. Jail authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The suicide attempt came just two days after police filed the first charge sheet in the case. The document, submitted to the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate-II Court, pertains to the murder of Afan’s 91-year-old grandmother, Salma Beevi.

The gruesome murders occurred on February 24. Afan began his killing spree in Pangode by murdering his grandmother. He then went on to kill his younger brother Ahsan, girlfriend Farsana, uncle Abdul Latheef, and aunt Shahida. The killings took place over the span of eight hours, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., across multiple locations — Pangode, SN Puram, and Perumal.

After committing the murders, Afan reportedly consumed poison before surrendering at the Venjaramoodu police station. His mother, who sustained critical injuries during the rampage, survived after prolonged medical care.

The case is being investigated by CI Jinesh of the Pangode police station, with further charge sheets expected as the probe progresses.