A 40-year-old woman named Raseena, a resident of Parambayi in Vengad panchayat in Kerala’s Kannur district, died by suicide after reportedly facing public humiliation for speaking to a male friend. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday within the Dharmadam Assembly constituency, represented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has come under the scanner after police arrested three of its workers in connection with the alleged moral policing that led to the woman’s death. Raseena is survived by her husband, who works in the Middle East, and three minor children.
Sequence of Events: From Public Shaming to Suicide
According to police and eyewitness accounts, Raseena was speaking to a man named Rayes, who had recently returned from the Middle East, while she was on her two-wheeler near a masjid in Kayalode around 3:30 PM on Sunday. A passerby allegedly peered into the car and raised alarm, soon followed by a crowd of nearly 25 people gathering at the spot.
While Raseena was sent home, the group allegedly detained Rayes at a nearby ground and questioned him until 5:30 PM. Later, he was taken to the local SDPI office, where he was reportedly held until 8:30 PM. During this time, his mobile phone and a tablet were allegedly seized and not returned. Rayes was released only after his family was called.
Raseena’s father, A. Muhammed, a local CPI(M) worker, said he took his daughter and grandchildren to his home for safety after witnessing the scene. However, Raseena was deeply shaken and did not speak or eat the following day. She was found dead at her residence on Tuesday morning.
Police Action and Arrests Based on Suicide Note
The local police confirmed that a suicide note was recovered, in which Raseena mentioned the humiliation she had suffered as the reason for taking the extreme step. Based on the note and investigation, the police arrested C. Mubasheer (28), K. A. Faisal (34), and V. K. Rafnas (24) all SDPI workers from the Vengad panchayat area. Rafnas is also a distant relative of Raseena, according to officials.
The officer-in-charge, Bavish P V, stated that many of those involved had gone into hiding after the incident and that further arrests are expected. The arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody, and police are likely to seek their custody in the coming days for further questioning.
SDPI’s Troubled History: From Street Violence to Radical Affiliations
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), formed in 2009, is widely seen as the political wing of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The organisation has frequently come under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in violent activities, religious extremism, and communal tensions.
Over the years, SDPI members have been accused in several high-profile cases, including political killings, hate crimes, and mob violence. Law enforcement agencies across multiple states have linked the party to radicalization networks, particularly in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. While the SDPI continues to position itself as a party fighting for minority rights, critics argue it has repeatedly engaged in extra-judicial enforcement of moral codes, often targeting women and dissenters within the Muslim community. This tragic incident in Kannur is the latest in a disturbing pattern of mob-led vigilantism linked to elements within the party.
