With Rahees now cooperating with the investigation, police believe his statement will be crucial in establishing a clear sequence of events leading to Razina’s death.
Published Jun 21, 2025 | 12:15 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 21, 2025 | 3:30 PM
Suicide. (Representative/ iStock)
Synopsis: Rahees, the friend of Razina who died by suicide after an alleged moral policing incident in Kayalode, appeared before police on June 21. Her suicide note blames a group of men for assault and humiliation, contradicting her mother’s allegations against Rahees. Police are analyzing digital evidence and widening the investigation, considering Rahees’s statement key to the case.
In a significant development in the Kayalode alleged moral policing incident and subsequent death of a woman due to suicide, Rahees, the male friend of the woman, appeared before the police on Saturday, 21 June.
Rahees, a native of Mayyil, who reached the Pinarayi police station in the morning, is expected to give a detailed statement to investigators.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the region, involves the tragic death of Razina, a resident of Kayalode, Kannur. According to the police, Razina died by suicide after being assaulted and publicly humiliated by a group of men while she was speaking to Rahees.
Police have arrested three local men – all said to be affiliated with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) – on charges of abetment to suicide, citing a note left behind by the victim. However, her family has denied any role of mob justice.
Furthermore, the victim’s mother added that the three arrested youths were relatives who intervened out of concern, not hostility.
Kannur City Police Commissioner P Nithinraj told the media that the suicide note recovered from Razina’s dead body categorically mentions that a group of men, arriving on three motorcycles, threatened and assaulted her.
The Commissioner added that this revelation contradicts allegations made by the woman’s mother, who claimed her daughter’s suicide was caused by her relationship with Rahees and alleged that innocent people, including family members, had been wrongly arrested.
“The suicide note directly blames the assailants and makes no mention of the boyfriend’s involvement in financial or personal disputes, as alleged by the family,” Commissioner Nithinraj clarified.
Police have already taken custody of Razina’s mobile phone from the accused and are examining call records and digital evidence.
Officials have also collected details of those present at the scene during the assault, and the investigation has been widened to identify others involved.
Meanwhile, the police said they would still examine the mother’s claim that Razina had given money and gold to Rahees, although no evidence supporting this allegation has emerged so far in the investigation or from the suicide note.
With Rahees now cooperating with the investigation, police believe his statement will be crucial in establishing a clear sequence of events leading to Razina’s death.
The probe continues to identify whether more people were involved in the mob assault.
The victim’s mother in her complaint alleged that the woman was blackmailed and emotionally abused by her male friend.
Razina’s mother further claimed that the male friend had stolen ₹1.5 lakh and 20 sovereigns of gold from her daughter and was in possession of her private photos and videos, which he allegedly used to threaten her.
According to the complaint, Razina — who was estranged from her husband — was exploited under the false promise of marriage. The mother stated that her daughter had attempted suicide earlier, fearing the misuse of her private images.
On Sunday, Razina reportedly went to meet the man after he claimed he could destroy the compromising material, but was confronted by locals, leading to tensions.
Meanwhile, the male friend, who appeared before police on Saturday, denied any involvement in Razina’s death. He also denied allegations of financial extortion. He alleged that a group assaulted him and conducted a mob trial, seizing his phone and tablet.
Based on his statement, police are adding fresh charges against those involved in the assault and have indicated more arrests are likely.
(If you need support or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or contact the helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tele-MANAS: 14416; Life Suicide Prevention: 7893078930; Arogya Vani: 104; Sahay Helpline: 080-25497777; Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584.)
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
