DHARMAPURI: A 43-year-old man was arrested on charges of murdering his mother and teenage daughter at Ammannagar in Dharmapuri district on Friday.
His daughter, Chinmai, 18, resided next door with her grandmother, D Umarani, 63.
The suspect, identified as D Suresh of Adhigarapatti, was an alcoholic, police said. Suresh, a cook, was living alone after his wife was estranged from him. Chinmai was a nursing student. An argument erupted when Suresh confronted her over spending excessive time on her mobile phone and keeping in touch with her mother. As the dispute escalated, an intoxicated Suresh grabbed a sickle and attacked Chinmai. Hearing her screams, Umarani rushed in to rescue her granddaughter. Suresh turned to his mother, inflicting critical injuries on her head and neck. Umarani died on the spot. Alerted by neighbours, the A Pallipatti police reached the crime spot. Chinmai was rushed to Pappireddipatti govt hospital and later transferred to Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital as her condition deteriorated. Police registered a murder case. Suresh was remanded in judicial custody.
On Friday night Chinmai brought food to her father’s house, according to police. She succumbed to her injuries on Saturday.