Published Aug 28, 2026 | 12:09 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 28, 2026 | 12:09 PM
In his note, Shoukath described his death as a protest against what he called a deeply flawed system. (Representational image)
Synopsis: A 37-year-old autorickshaw driver, Shoukath M, died by suicide in Malappuram after alleging prolonged harassment and bribery demands by MVD officials over his vehicle’s fitness certificate. His death triggered protests by autorickshaw drivers in Kondotty, prompting the Kerala government to order a detailed inquiry into the allegations.
The suspected suicide of a 37-year-old autorickshaw driver in Malappuram has triggered protests and prompted the state government to order a detailed inquiry.
The auto driver, Shoukath M, a native of Mundamparamba near Areekode, was found dead on August 27 after posting a detailed message on Facebook in which he held the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) responsible for his death.
In the lengthy social media post, Shoukath alleged that prolonged harassment and corruption in the MVD had destroyed his livelihood. He said he had spent nearly 10 months trying to renew the fitness certificate of his autorickshaw but was repeatedly unable to secure it.
According to his Facebook post, Shoukath had repeatedly visited the Kondotty MVD office and approached agents over the past 10 months in an attempt to obtain the fitness certificate required to operate his vehicle. He alleged that his means of earning had been taken away because he refused to pay a bribe.
“My death is solely the responsibility of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department. They destroyed my livelihood for the sole reason that I did not pay a bribe,” he wrote.
Shoukath said his inability to operate the autorickshaw had left him without an income and unable to meet his monthly loan repayments. He claimed that his EMIs had fallen into arrears and that his credit score had dropped sharply.
Shoukath’s death led to protests by autorickshaw drivers in Kondotty, who blocked the road and demanded action against officials allegedly responsible for the incident.
Transport Minister C P John described the incident as “extremely unfortunate and painful” and said Transport Secretary T V Anupama had been entrusted with a comprehensive inquiry. She has been asked to submit a preliminary report within two working days.
The inquiry will examine whether there were lapses in the handling of Shoukath’s vehicle inspection and subsequent proceedings, and whether he was subjected to mental harassment by MVD officials. The social media note posted by him will also form part of the investigation, the minister said.
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In his note, Shoukath described his death as a protest against what he called a deeply flawed system. He appealed to the public to seek justice after his death and urged people to raise their voices so that others would not face a similar situation.
Shoukath said he had no parents, siblings, wife or children, and argued that it was therefore up to society and the state to ensure that the allegations raised by him were properly examined.
He acknowledged that he could have approached senior government officials or moved the court to obtain the documents required for his vehicle. However, he said forcing an ordinary person to run from office to office or approach the courts simply to secure a routine certificate could not be treated as a solution to a systemic problem.
He also levelled serious allegations against the system involving intermediaries at MVD offices, claiming that the so-called agent network contributed significantly to corruption.
“If this system is abolished, 80% of the corruption in the department will end,” he said, calling for public intervention to address the problem.
The note ended with a quote attributed to Dr B R Ambedkar on democracy and collective life.
Meanwhile, the Areekode police have registered a case and began an investigation into the death. Officers said statements would be collected from Shoukath’s colleagues and other relatives as part of the probe.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
