Gujarat Businessman Fakes Drowning Death in Kerala, Found Working as Uber Driver in Bengaluru

Police conducted extensive three-day search operations in the river with assistance from the fire brigade.

Palakkad:

A businessman from Gujarat who orchestrated his own death by faking drowning in Kerala has been discovered alive in Bengaluru, working as an Uber driver.

The individual, identified as Hunani Siraj Ahmed Bhai, traveled to Palakkad's Shoranur on September 17 for a business transaction related to rubber bands. Facing severe financial difficulties with debts approximating Rs 50 lakh, he felt unable to return home and decided to stage his suicide.

He captured a photograph of the Bharathapuzha River from Cheruthuruthy bridge in Palakkad and forwarded it to his wife with a message indicating his intention to jump. Following this, he turned off his mobile phone.

Authorities registered a case based on the family's report and conducted thorough searches in the river for three days, collaborating with the fire brigade, Cheruthuruthy Nila Boat Club, and local rescue teams.

When the search yielded no results, police became suspicious and tracked Siraj's movements to Bengaluru. A specialized team was stationed in the city, where surveillance footage revealed him entering accommodations.

He was subsequently apprehended near the Majestic area in central Bengaluru, where he had been working as an Uber driver.

During interrogation, Siraj confessed that he had staged his suicide due to fear of confronting his creditors. He was presented before the district court and subsequently released.