'You drove us to this': Anju's heartbreaking suicide message exposes swindle in 70-sovereign gold scam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vizhinjam police have arrested a 53-year-old woman in connection with the suicide of a private financial institution employee and the attempted suicide of her colleague, following the misappropriation of 70 sovereigns of gold. The accused, identified as Sindhu Kumari of Shyamalalayam, Panangode, Venganoor, was apprehended from a relative's house in Machela, Malayinkeezhu, and has been remanded in judicial custody.

The tragedy came to light after 28-year-old Anju, wife of Vishnu from Nellivila, Venniyoor, died on Saturday. Her colleague, Aishwarya, a native of Chavadinnada, Venganoor, remains in critical condition at the Government Medical College Hospital. According to the police, both women had consumed poison mixed in a beverage on the 30th of last month due to severe mental distress over the missing gold.

Modus operandi of gold fraud

Investigating officers revealed that Sindhu Kumari, who previously operated a gold loan business, befriended the two employees to gain their trust. She allegedly convinced them to hand over 70 sovereigns of gold pledged by customers at their firm, promising to re-pledge it at the state-run Kerala State Financial Enterprises for lower interest rates. This transaction was carried out without the knowledge of the financial firm's owner.

While the employees were unaware that Sindhu Kumari was actually selling the gold, she kept them compliant by paying them small sums disguised as commissions. The fraud unraveled when customers returned to reclaim their ornaments. Though the accused managed to return the gold once, she failed to do so subsequently. In a desperate bid to cover up the shortage, the two employees reportedly borrowed gold and funds to satisfy the customers. The police later discovered that Sindhu Kumari had sold the missing gold to another financial establishment in Kovalam.

Before taking the drastic step, the victims sent a final text message to the accused, which read: "Live happily. We have no option but suicide. You drove us to this. We are leaving our children behind. There is no other way. Live happily." The police added that the women had also sent numerous unanswered voice messages pleading with Sindhu Kumari to return the gold.

Investigation and prior offenses

A subsequent police raid at the residence of the accused led to the seizure of fake visiting cards and bill books. Investigators stated that Sindhu Kumari is a habitual offender, with two pending cases at the Kovalam police station for cheating using counterfeit gold, and a fraud case registered at the Malayinkeezhu station. Following her arrest, the police have received over ten additional complaints against her.

Vizhinjam Station House Officer Reji Raj stated that the police will scrutinize the financial transactions, bank records, and call logs of the accused. A formal application seeking her police custody will be submitted to the court next week. The arrest was executed by a team comprising Station House Officer Reji Raj, Sub-Inspector Krishna Lal, Assistant Sub-Inspector Sanoj, Civil Police Officer Regin, and Women Civil Police Officer Sheelu.