Malayali Vlogger Rifa Mehnu Autopsy Proves Death By Suicide, Case Timeline Here

Parents allege that it was a case of domestic violence. The body of Kerala vlogger Rifa Mehnu, 20 was exhumed in Dubai. Since her parents suspect that it was a case of murder resulting from domestic violence, the police have decided to conduct a re-postmortem.

Latest Update: Rifa Mehnu's husband Mehnaz was taken into custody. She had died by suicide and her husband was booked under the Protection of Child from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for marrying his late wife when she was a minor.

The vlogger and Instagram influencer Rifa Mehnu was found dead on March 1, 2022. She was living in the United Arab Emirates at the time of her death. Reportedly, Mehnu was born in Kozhikode, Kerala. The couple met over Instagram and got married three years ago.

Married to 26-year-old Mehnu (Mehnaz), the couple also had a child. Reportedly, her husband no longer found her alive when he returned home on March 1. On April 30, he was booked by the Kakkur police on the basis of a complaint filed by Rifa’s mother.

Earlier, following complaints from her family that the circumstances of her death were suspicious, the body of Rifa was exhumed for autopsy two months after she was found dead in her apartment in Dubai. But according to The News Minute, the autopsy report of Rifa Mehnu suggested that her death was caused by suicide. Another report by The Hindu states that the autopsy report of Rifa has confirmed hanging as the cause of death.

The Hindu also mentioned that the chemical analysis of internal organs are yet to arrive. Meanwhile Rifa’s husband is booked under sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 498 A (cruelty against woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

As per reports, the case is being examined by the Thamarassery Deputy Police Superintendent of Police T.K. Ashraf has secured permission from the Revenue Divisional Officer to execute the process of investigation. 

Rifa Mehnu murder case

• The vlogger's family members allege that no post-mortem examination was carried out in Dubai in order to figure out the cause of her passing. They allege that Rifa could not survive the domestic violence inflicted by her husband, Mehnaz. 

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• Mehnaz, a native of Kasaragod district, has been booked under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following a thorough inspection carried out by the police on the basis of the petition submitted by the Rifa’s family. Her parents had also approached the State government for investigating the case and bringing to light the truth.
• According to police officers, after conducting a preliminary inspection into the matter, it was found that 21-year-old Rifa allegedly underwent her husband’s mental torture owing to the popularity of her vlogs on social media. He was reportedly jealous of the huge number of subscribers to her channel on YouTube and was upset about the people who religiously followed her.  
• Rifa earlier had revealed to her parents the dreadful experiences she had with her husband regarding the same. Her parents considered those revelations as proof of the mistreatment and subsequent violence Rifa’s husband might have inflicted upon her. They approached the Kozhikode District Police Chief to seek permission for a re-examination of the case which they deem as one of murder.