Pathanamthitta: Sumayya, mother of an eight-month-old baby, who is accused of attempting to murder an ASHA worker at Keezhvaipur, was driven to the extreme act by debilitating losses in stock trading. ASHA worker Lathakumari PK, 61, was tied up, beaten, and her house was set on fire by her neighbour, Sumayya, on Thursday after Latha reportedly refused to give her gold ornaments to Sumayya. Sumayya desperately wanted the ornaments for pledging as she frantically tried to plug her losses temporarily. 

Sumayya, wife of a civil police officer, resided at the police quarters in Keezhvaipur and she used to be friends with Latha, neighbours and other residents said. Sumayya, a B.com graduate, was drawn to online trading using mobile apps, police said. Lured by the promise of high returns, she shelled out savings from her husband and invested in stocks via apps. As the market crashed, Sumayya's investments plummeted. She covered up for the loss, initially by pledging her gold ornaments and then by selling them. The losses kept mounting, and she turned to mobile loan apps, further pushing her into debt, police said.

According to Punnamattom ward member Rohini Jose, Sumayya had initially invested in the stock market and suffered losses. To make up for them, she reportedly pledged around 10 sovereigns of her gold jewellery and replaced them with imitation ornaments. "Her husband was unaware of what she had done. He didn’t know about her financial troubles," Rohini said.

"She had lost around ₹40–50 lakh and was in urgent need of money," Rohini added. For Sumayya, Asha worker Latha was her only close companion. Latha, who handled the affairs of Ward 11 in the Mallappally panchayat, was known for her friendly nature and willingness to help everyone. Sumayya approached her seeking ₹1 lakh, but Latha reportedly refused to lend the money.

"Latha would help anyone in need with whatever she had. But she was also an ordinary person with her own share of troubles," said Asha worker Raji Etikkal.

On the evening of October 9, around 4.30 pm, Sumayya came to Latha’s house while her husband was away. Latha, who had suffered a stroke a year ago, was still coping with weakness in her arms and legs. Sumayya demanded that Latha hand over her gold jewellery, including a chain and bangles.

According to the police FIR, Latha refused. Sumayya then forcibly pulled her out of bed, made her sit on a chair, and wrapped a cloth around her neck in an attempt to kill her. She then snatched Latha’s gold ornaments and stabbed her face with a small knife, also inflicting a cut on her neck.

Sumayya tied Latha up and set the house on fire. "Latha was shocked, and the smoke from the fire began affecting her. Somehow, she managed to loosen the knots and escape from the house," Rohini said. Latha then ran along a short path leading to Keezhvaipur police station and screamed for help. Police rushed to the scene, and she was initially taken to a nearby hospital before being shifted to Kottayam Medical College for further treatment.

Latha sustained injuries on the front of her neck, chest, abdomen, both sides of her body, both thighs, and waist, along with a wound below her left eye and a deep cut on the left side of her neck, which required five stitches.

The police took Sumayya into custody based on Latha’s statement and shifted her to the Mahila Mandiram. The investigation team recovered the stolen jewellery— one gold chain and three bangles— from the toilet flush in the police quarters.

Sumayya, a native of Oachira in Kollam, has been charged with attempted murder, robbery, forcible intrusion, and wrongful confinement. 

Latha’s condition remains serious, and she is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Kottayam Medical College Hospital, said Raji. "Her arrest was recorded today, and she will be presented in court. As of now, we understand that her husband didn't know of her motive, and she is the sole accused in the case," said Vipin Gopinath, SHO, Keezhvaipur.