Pathanapuram: The family of Saya Shaji (26), who was found dead in her husband’s house in Mattannada, Kollam, has raised serious allegations that the police investigation is not being conducted efficiently. The parents have accused the police of negligence and expressed doubts about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Saya was found dead around 8 pm on October 31 at her matrimonial home. Despite several days having passed since the incident, the family claims that the police have not been willing to collect or thoroughly examine crucial evidence related to the death. In particular, they allege that footage from the CCTV cameras installed in the house has yet to be reviewed.
The family stresses that any delay in examining such evidence, which could clarify the circumstances leading to her death, undermines the credibility of the investigation. They further allege that political influence and financial power are being used to help those responsible evade legal consequences.
Saya’s father Shaji and mother Rihana, who do not believe their daughter’s death was a suicide, assert there is ambiguity surrounding the case. They have filed a complaint with the City Police Commissioner demanding urgent intervention, citing investigative lapses and the need to uncover the truth.
The family alleges that during her married life, Saya experienced severe mental harassment from her husband Afzal, who runs an electrical shop in Kollam. They say he was feared by Saya and that the domestic issues caused her considerable mental distress. Although 80 pawns of gold and a car were given at the time of marriage, the family claims that Afzal had made remarks implying he could have provided 100 pawns of gold and a Mercedes-Benz car, which added to her psychological strain.
The parents also point to an unnatural delay in informing them about their daughter’s death, stating they were notified only hours after it occurred. They demand clarity on the reasons for this delay.
Raising further suspicions about the death, the family says that Saya’s laptop and personal diary have not been found to date, and insist that their whereabouts be investigated. They have also requested a detailed examination of a suicide note allegedly written by Saya, which contains references to repaying a monthly car loan EMI by pawning her gold. They demand that the background of this note and related financial transactions be thoroughly investigated.
The family hopes that scrutiny of financial dealings, gold-related information, and bank account transactions in the days preceding Saya’s death will yield critical insights. They call for a scientific, comprehensive investigation to resolve the ambiguities surrounding the death.
They further demand a thorough probe into mobile phone data, phone call records, e-mail communications, bank transactions, the missing laptop, and personal diary. The parents urge the police to collect CCTV footage from the husband’s home and examine events before and after the death.
Shaji and Rihana told Deshabhimani that they never believed their daughter would commit suicide and that the investigation should not be closed without uncovering the real reason behind her death. They seek clear answers to all doubts and call for legal action against those responsible if any criminal interference is found.
The couple also demand a detailed inquiry into the mental harassment and financial pressures Saya faced during her married life. Grieving their daughter’s unexpected death, the family appeals for intervention by senior police officials to ensure the investigation is transparent, impartial, and free from further delays in collecting evidence.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
