Murders in Kerala: Patterns change, mental health and substance abuse major concerns

Shemeena was the only person who survived the murderous assault by her son AR Affan who killed five people in Kerala’s Venjaramoodu in Thiruvananthapuram. Affan brought down the hammer he used to clobber others on her mother too yet she told the police and the court that injuries were from a fall.

On the evening of February 24, at around 6:15 pm, Affan walked into the Venjaramoodu police station and confessed to killing six people, believing his mother was also dead. Victims included Affan’s 13-year-old younger brother, Ahsan. Neighbors, relatives, and friends recall how Affan had always been protective of Ahsan—who ultimately became his last victim.

“First, I told her about our youngest son’s death. Then, little by little, I revealed everything else. She just cried as she listened. But she still cannot believe that Affan did this,” Abdul Rahim, father of AR Affan—who brutally murdered four family members and a friend —told the media on Friday, March 14.

Rahim was recalling how he broke the tragic news to his wife, Shemeena, also known as Shemi. Investigators revealed that Affan had planned to murder two more people but couldn’t carry it out. 

This was one among several shocking crimes committed by young people in Kerala in January and February. Police officers investigating the case said drugs were not a factor in Affan’s actions, though he used liquor.

In Kerala, a new pattern of spontaneous killings, often within homes, with little planning or clear motive is emerging, according to the police. A recent study by the Kerala police, which analysed violent crimes in the first two months of January, reveals this disturbing shift in violent crimes, raising concerns about changing social dynamics and mental health. The confidential study is yet to be released in the public domain.

Kerala saw 334 murder cases in 2022, 352 in 2023 and 335 in 2024. Though the overall murder rate in Kerala may not be rising, the shift in crime patterns—toward impulsive, violent acts within homes—is a growing concern, the study noted. The reasons behind these crimes are complex, ranging from social and psychological factors to substance abuse and media influence. 

Changing patterns of violent crime

Speaking to The News Minute, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Manoj Abraham stated, “In Kerala, we cannot say the number of murders is increasing, but we can definitely say that their nature and pattern are changing.”

“Traditional crimes typically have a motive, a plan, and are then executed. Revenge, enmity, and similar reasons have historically driven murders. However, recent crimes show a shift—murders are becoming more spontaneous, and they are increasingly happening within homes,” the senior officer explained.

In January and February, 65 murder cases were reported in Kerala, resulting in 70 deaths. Of the 65 murders, nearly half—30 cases—involved killings within families.Thiruvananthapuram saw the highest number of cases—14.

The Venjaramoodu killings are the latest in a string of familicides that have shaken Kerala in recent years. The infamous Koodathayi murders, where six people were allegedly poisoned over 14 years, shocked the state in 2019. The Nanthancode murders, in which a son killed four family members eight years ago, still haunt residents of Thiruvananthapuram. In the last week of January, Chenthamara, a person out on bail in a murder case hacked to death a 55-year-old man and his mother in Nenmara in Palakkad. More recently, on March 12 in Perumbavoor, 65-year-old Johny was stamped to death by his son, Meljo. On February 5, Prejin Jose,  a 28-year-old man, murdered his father, Jose, using a machete in Vellarada.

Read : The shocking recurrence of family killings in Kerala

Prejin, who had dropped out of an MBBS program, had a history of violent behavior. His mother, Sushma, alleged that he frequently assaulted his parents and that they had been living in fear since his return from China. Despite being taken to a psychiatrist three times at his insistence, he was sent back each time with no diagnosed mental illness.

Beyond family-related murders, 17 cases were due to disputes among friends, mostly under the influence of alcohol or due to sudden provocation.

“Police can monitor and prevent crimes in public spaces to some extent by keeping vigil on anti-social elements. But when crimes happen within families or immediate surroundings, police intervention is limited,” the officer pointed out.

He said preventive measures cannot be the sole responsibility of the police. Resident associations, local self-government bodies, and other stakeholders must work together to prevent crimes. The police are also seeking coordination with the departments of social welfare, education, and health. The Local Self-Government Department has a crucial role at the grassroots level.

The police have also intensified Operation D-Hunt, a joint initiative with the Excise Department to crack down on drug peddlers and pushers. In January and February alone, they registered 6,878 cases.

The study found that 37 out of the 65 murders were impulsive acts with no premeditation or conspiracy. Ten cases were linked to extramarital affairs, while 11 stemmed from previous grudges. Four cases were directly attributed to mental health issues, but police believe that many family-related murders could have underlying mental health factors that need urgent attention.

“Only 11 of the 65 cases were due to longstanding enmity. The rest of the murders were caused by social, psychological, or situational factors,” the officer noted.

Substance use was another significant factor. Of the 65 murders, 22 were committed under the influence of alcohol, and two were linked to drug use. However, police officers said that in several cases, when the accused fled, drug use could not be confirmed through tests. Informally, authorities estimate that in 12 to 14 cases perpetrators had previously used drugs, bringing the total to approximately 35 cases linked to substance abuse.

The role of media, films and gaming in violent crimes

The ADGP also highlighted the impact of violent content in cinema, social media, and video games on criminal behavior.

“The portrayal and glorification of violent crimes in films, along with depictions of anti-social activities and gang culture, influence young minds. Social media platforms further amplify this by glorifying violence through short clips, reels, and posts. This has contributed to a rise in criminal tendencies among students and young individuals,” Manoj Abraham said.

Addiction to violent video games, which often involve excessive killing, can desensitize individuals and lower their inhibition against harming others, making them more prone to committing violent acts, he said.

Inputs by Jisha Surya