The charred body of a man, suspected to be of a college owner, was discovered in an unfinished building of the institution in Karakulam, near Nedumangad, on Tuesday.
The body was found by the security staff of the college after they noticed smoke rising from the building in the morning. Upon investigating, they discovered the burnt body beneath a staircase along with a pile of tyres nearby.
The Nedumangad police suspected the body to be of Mohamed Thaha, chairman of the P.A. Aziz College of Engineering and Technology (PAACET) group, based on the presence of his mobile phone and car at the scene. The investigators also found a shoe and a pair of spectacles close to the body. The lid of a can, which could have been used to carry petrol, was also recovered. The area smelled strongly of fuel, according to official sources.
The authorities have sent the remains to the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital for DNA testing to confirm the identity. Forensic experts have collected fingerprints and other evidence from the site.
A police official suggested the incident could be a suicide, noting that Thaha had recently been facing severe financial difficulties and had confided in friends about the challenges of managing the college. He had reportedly been involved in heated arguments over unpaid loans from various individuals. However, only a thorough investigation could ascertain the cause of death, he pointed out.
Thaha was seen on the college campus late Monday. When staff members inquired about his late visit, he apparently mentioned that he was waiting for some students from Wayanad. Originally from Eravipuram in Kollam, Thaha had been residing at a rented house in Peyad. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil visited the site to inquire about the incident.
(Suicide prevention helpline: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056)
Published – December 31, 2024 08:14 pm IST
