A 35-year-old autorickshaw driver named Shoukat from Kizhisseri has been confirmed deceased. He had been serving in this role for the past four years.
Tragic Incident Linked to Financial Strain
Authorities reported that a man was found hanging at his home after friends alerted the police following a concerning social media post. The individual, identified as Shoukat, expressed in his post that he had been struggling with vehicle-related issues at the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) for the past 10 months. He claimed that the denial of a fitness certificate for his vehicle had caused him significant financial hardship. Shoukat noted that his equated monthly installments (EMIs) had become overdue, resulting in a drastic drop in his credit score from 820 to 600. The police confirmed that after a postmortem examination, the body would be returned to the family.
Because of steel work carried out on it, shoukat alleged that the MVD might claim during an investigation that his vehicle was unfit.
He claimed that MVD officials had twice earlier certified that the steel work carried out on his vehicle was not illegal.
He urged the state Home minister and the Kerala High Court to intervene and sought a detailed investigation into his allegations against MVD officials. He alleged that the agent system was a major cause of corruption in the MVD and called for its abolition. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and started an investigation. Transport Minister C P John has sought a report on the allegations raised by Shoukat against the Kondotty Sub Regional Transport Office.
The Malappuram District RTO will conduct an inquiry and submit a report to the minister, officials said.
