The Kozhikode Rural police have arrested three persons, including two Malappuram natives, in connection with a major financial fraud involving spiritual healing. The suspects – P.C.H. Shamsuddeen and Kannanthodi Muhammed Basheer from Malappuram district, and P. Rafeeq from Nadapuram — were taken into custody on Saturday (November 29).
According to police sources, the three extorted nearly ₹70 lakh from a resident of Thottilpalam after promising spiritual healing for his wife. The arrests were made on the basis of a complaint filed by A.K. Muhammed Adil, who has been pursuing the matter for several months.
The police said the accused exploited the family’s hope for a divine cure and collected money by claiming that their spiritual healing techniques would work miraculously.
The couple reportedly met the accused at a religious gathering in Nadapuram in January 2020. Based on the claims reportedly made by the accused, the couple later travelled to Kodur in Malappuram district to undergo the promised spiritual treatment. They stayed in a rented house where the healing sessions were reportedly held.
The sessions, the victims said, involved overnight prayers from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. On the third day, the accused allegedly demanded ₹15 lakh as a loan, assuring repayment within three days. A few days later, they reportedly collected another ₹55 lakh from the complainant in multiple instalments, in the name of spiritual healing. The complainant stated that the money was handed over both directly and through bank transfers.
An Inspector associated with the probe said two of the accused were office-bearers of an educational institution trust in Malappuram district. The investigation team also found indications of several similar incidents reported from Nadapuram, Kuttiady, Kallachi, Kakkattu and Panoor.
Published – November 30, 2025 06:47 pm IST
