‘Paid Rs 10,000 as interest daily, committed mass killing as unable to bear this’; I’ll also die, says Afaan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Afaan, the accused in the Venjaramoodu mass killing, told prison officials that debt was behind the massacre. He told them that his relatives constantly insulted his family for the financial liabilities. He said that he killed others thinking that his mother was dead. Afaan told officials at Poojappura Central Jail that he too would die. Afaan was shifted to Poojappura Central Jail from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital the other day.

He said that he could not stand giving interest of up to Rs 10,000 daily. So, decided to commit suicide after killing everyone. Afaan told officials that he is upset of not dying. The police have got information that Afaan and his mother Shemi had a debt of about Rs 60 lakh. The police have recorded the statements of those who gave them money. The police believe that their luxurious lifestyle may have led to the debt. Afaan's father Abdul Rahim had a good job in Saudi Arabia. Even though their income dropped during Covid time, the family continued to live in the same way. The police conclude that they may have borrowed money from many to continue their luxurious life.

Afaan and his mother had started a chitty and added relatives to it. However, the problem worsened when they failed to give money to the relatives who got the chitty. Most of the loans were on a daily collection basis. After pledging the gold stolen from his grandmother after killing her, he deposited Rs 40,000 in the cash deposit machine in Kallara and sent money to many via Google Pay. Meantime, the police have not been able to resolve the inconsistencies between the statements of Afaan and his father Rahim over the debts.