Kerala woman dies by suicide after moral policing, three SDPI men arrested

Three men were arrested by Kerala police over the death of a young woman, Raseena, who was allegedly subjected to public harassment in a suspected case of moral policing.

The arrested men have been identified as MC Mubsheer, KA Faisal and VK Rafnas, all residents of Parambayi area. They are reportedly affiliated with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), with alleged links to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The polic, in Kannur’s Pinarayi town, said the arrests were made following an investigation into a complaint by the victim’s family and the contents of a suicide note left behind.

The incident occurred on the evening of June 15 near Achankara Mosque, where Raseena was seen sitting inside a parked car with her male friend. The accused allegedly dragged the man out of the car, assaulted him in a nearby ground and seized his mobile phone and tablet.

The following day, Raseena was found dead by suicide at her home. She had hanged herself in her bedroom. In her suicide note, she reportedly named the three accused, one of whom is believed to be a relative.

Police have registered a case and said further investigation is underway.

On April 11, in a similar incident of moral policing in Bengaluru, five individuals, including a minor, were detained by the police for allegedly harassing a Hindu boy and his Muslim classmate at a public park.

The incident occurred when the group confronted the girl, who was wearing a burqa and sitting on a bike with her male friend. They allegedly questioned her for being with a Hindu boy, demanded her family’s phone numbers, and verbally abused her. When she refused, the group reportedly tried to intimidate and assault the boy. They also filmed the encounter and circulated the video on social media.