Tuesday, 18 March 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Kerala— an attacker dies by suicide after fatally attacking a college student.
Published Mar 18, 2025 | 1:10 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 18, 2025 | 1:10 PM
Murder. Representational Image. (iStock)
Synopsis: In Tuesday’s wrap of Kerala news— a college student has been fatally stabbed at his residence, and soon after, the attacker has also died by suicide. The Kerala government seeks stricter laws for drug smugglers, aiming to close loopholes that allow easy bail. Meanwhile, a four-month-old baby girl was found dead in a well in Pappinissery, with police investigating the suspicious circumstances. The baby’s parents are under custody for further questioning in the case.
In Kerala’s Kollam, a college student has been fatally stabbed at his residence, and soon after, the attacker has also died by suicide.
The shocking murder-suicide unfolded in Uliyakovil, Kollam, on Monday evening. The victim has been identified as Febin George Gomes (21), a second-year BCA student at Fatima Mata National College, and the attacker has been identified as Tejas Raj (23), the son of a police officer.
According to the police, Tejas stormed into Febin’s house disguised in a black veil, carrying two petrol cans, allegedly to set the house on fire.
He fatally stabbed Febin before attacking his father, George Gomez, who sustained severe injuries. Febin collapsed on the road while seeking help but could not be saved. Tejas fled the scene and died by suicide, jumping in front of a train near Chemmanmukku railway overpass.
Police suspect unrequited love and revenge—Tejas had a strained past relationship with Febin’s sister, who distanced herself after securing a bank job, while Tejas failed police recruitment tests. His repeated demands for rekindling the relationship were reportedly rejected.
The brutal nature of the crime has left the local community in shock. Police continue investigations into the premeditated aspects of the attack.
The Kerala government has urged an amendment to remand drug smugglers regardless of the quantity seized, citing loopholes in the current law that allow easy bail.
Presently, bail is possible even with up to one kilogram of cannabis, while station bail is allowed for 100 grams of hashish oil or 0.5 grams of MDMA. The drug mafia exploits this by distributing smaller quantities among carriers.
Under the law, drug possession is categorized as small, medium, or commercial. Small cases (eg. under 1 kg of cannabis) are bailable, while medium cases (up to 20 kg) allow a two-month remand, and commercial cases (above 20 kg) permit three months.
Police believe stricter remand rules would curb trafficking, as 997 regular offenders operate in the state.
Meanwhile, a former student of Kochi, Kalamassery Polytechnic College, Shalik, confessed to police that he earned ₹6,000 commission per cannabis bundle sold. He revealed that a bundle was bought for ₹18,000 and resold for ₹24,000, with drug circulation widely known in the hostel.
During the investigation, police intercepted a call to Akash, another arrested student, where the caller inquired if the stuff was safe. The caller, a Kottayam native, is now under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the supplier, suspected to be part of a larger Odisha-based smuggling network, remains at large, prompting an expanded probe.
A four-month-old baby girl was found dead in a well near a rented house occupied by migrant workers in Pappinissery on Monday night.
The deceased was the daughter of Muthu and Ammal, a couple from Tamil Nadu who had migrated to Kerala for work.
According to the police, the parents and their relatives’ daughters had gone to sleep in the central hall of their residence around 9:30 pm. Around 11 pm, the mother discovered the baby missing and alerted her husband.
Hearing the mother’s cries, fellow migrant workers rushed to assist and began searching for the child. They later found her body inside a well adjacent to the house.
Some workers climbed down into the well and retrieved the baby, who was unresponsive. She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. The parents informed the police at around 4 am on Tuesday.
The Valapattanam police have registered an FIR under Section 194(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which pertains to investigating deaths under suspicious circumstances.
The infant’s body was taken to Kannur District Hospital for an autopsy. Meanwhile, the police have taken the parents into custody for further interrogation as part of the investigation.
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, speaking in the parliament noted, “Hon’ble Minister would be aware that under the original Vidarbha package, three districts of Kerala were included, Wayanad, Palakkad and Kasaragod. Will the minister be pleased to state the achievement of the package in the three districts? Will the ministry be making a special review on Wayanad, keeping in mind the massive setbacks faced by farmers due to the disaster that they faced in 2024?”
“Further, is the ministry informed of the massive difficulties of the rubber farmers in Kerala, and is it considering the inclusion of rubber in the MSP list and whether the ministry has any plans regarding the volatility of spice prices?”
Hon’ble Minister would be aware that under the original Vidarbha package, three districts of Kerala were included-Wayanad, Palakkad and Kasaragod.
Will the minister be pleased to state the achievement of the package in the three districts?
Will the ministry be making a special… pic.twitter.com/IOHehjw7Vm
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) March 18, 2025
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has assured that land acquisition for Kannur International Airport will be completed in a timely manner, with necessary steps already in place.
Responding to concerns raised by Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and MLA KV Sumesh at the Assembly on Tuesday, the Chief Minister stated that a high-level meeting would be held this month to address the matter.
So far, 1113.33 acres have been acquired and handed over to Kannur International Airport Limited, while the process for acquiring an additional 804.37 acres is ongoing.
The government has also allocated funds for acquiring 202.34 hectares in Keezhoor and Pattanur villages as part of the airport’s industrial park development.
For the proposed runway extension to 4000 meters, 245.33 acres in Keezhalloor village have been notified, with a ₹900 crore proposal under government scrutiny. The valuation of affected structures is being conducted by Government Engineering College, Kozhikode, with compensation allocation underway.
Additionally, land acquisition for airport lighting and the relocation of 14 families has been approved in principle.
The Chief Minister reiterated that all necessary measures would be taken promptly to ensure smooth progress.
The Kerala High Court has ruled that individuals unwilling to provide testimony based on the Hema Committee report cannot be compelled to do so. The court emphasized that no one should be harassed under the guise of an investigation and assured that those facing difficulties from the SIT can approach the High Court.
The directive was issued in response to complaints that some individuals were being pressured into giving statements. The court clarified that those who have received notices have the option to either record their statements before a magistrate or appear in person to formally express their unwillingness.
Several film industry professionals who had previously testified before the committee are now reportedly refusing to give statements to the police.
In Alappuzha, Chengannur police have arrested Sujanya Gopi (42), a BJP leader and Mahila Morcha office bearer, along with her assistant Salish Mon (46), in connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of money using a stolen ATM card.
Sujanya is a member of the Thiruvanvandoor ward in the Chengannur Block Panchayat. The case was registered based on a complaint by Vinod Abraham, a Chengannur native, whose wallet containing the ATM card was lost on 14 March.
It’s said Salish Mon, an auto driver, found the wallet and informed Sujanya.
The next morning, the duo used the ATM card, which had the PIN written on it, to withdraw ₹25,000 from ATMs in Budhanoor, Pandanad, and Mannar.
Vinod, upon receiving transaction alerts, reported the matter to the police. During the investigation, CCTV footage helped trace the suspects and their scooters.
The ATM card was later found abandoned near the Kallissery railway flyover. Both Sujanya and Salish were taken into custody and remanded in court following their arrest.
