Thiruvananthapuram: A family of four, including two children, has been missing from Nadayara near Varkala since Aug 31 morning. Ayiroor police began an investigation after relatives filed a complaint on Wednesday. Police suspect that the family left home amid mounting financial liabilities, though the probe is yet to establish the circumstances behind their disappearance.Rauf, 52, his wife Haseena, 42, and their sons Rasool, 12, and Rasel, 5, have been untraceable since Monday morning. According to police, the family members searched the houses of relatives and other places where the family would likely have gone. They later lodged the police complaint.Police have reportedly found a letter from the house that points to liabilities worth lakhs of rupees. Rauf had borrowed money from several private institutions and had fallen behind in repaying the loans, said police sources.Relatives told the police that the family had been facing persistent pressure from the lending institutions over the outstanding loan. The financial difficulties are now being examined as a possible reason behind the family’s disappearance.Rauf was earlier working abroad and returned to Keralam around four years ago. Since then, he had been working as a painter. Haseena is a homemaker, while Rasool is a Class VII student and Rasel is in LKG.Rauf had been trying to sell the family’s house and property to clear the outstanding liabilities, but couldn’t. The worsening financial situation reportedly placed the family under severe stress.Police are examining the letter, the family’s financial dealings and their recent movements. They are also checking possible places where the family may have travelled.Meanwhile, neighbours and locals have expressed willingness to extend financial assistance to the family and help them overcome their liabilities if they return safely, police said.
