THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shemi, the mother of Afan, the prime accused in the Venjaramoodu multiple murder case, has said that the financial liability which allegedly pushed her son to the edge was not in his name.
Speaking to media on Monday from Snehasparsham, the old-age home in Venjaramoodu where she currently resides, Shemi said the family had been going through a severe financial crisis. Total liabilities amounted to around Rs 25 lakh. The debt had accumulated from bank loans and money borrowed at high interest.
“Afan had borrowed money through various loan apps, though I don’t know which ones. He would often ask me for money and I gave him whatever I could. We even used the money my husband used to send from abroad,” said Shemi.
Shemi, who survived the murder attempt, said she barely remembers anything from the day. “I only remember sending my son off to school in the morning. The next thing I recall is the police arriving and opening the window in the evening,” said Shemi.
According to her, Afan had never shown any suicidal tendencies or violent behaviour before. However, he had ongoing issues with his uncle Latheef who advised to sell the house to clear some debts.
“We asked Latheef to wait for sometime before selling the house. That is when the problems started. But we had never opposed his plans to marry Farsana. I had told him it was his choice,” added Shemi.
Shemi added that the debt was in her name. “I never told him to repay anything. I had promised him we would sell some property to clear the dues. That very day, we got a notice from the bank demanding Rs 44,000,” added Shemi.
Recalling the moment before the attack, she said Afan had strangled her and said, “Umma, forgive me.” Shemi said he then said he would bring Farsana and take Shemi to the hospital. “Our property was worth nearly Rs 1 crore. The liabilities could have been cleared by selling that,” said Shemi, adding that she didn’t want to stay at the house without her children.
The murders which shook the state in February this year involved the brutal killing of five people, including Afan’s younger brother, grandmother, uncle, aunt, and his friend Farsana.
