A 23-year-old man sustained grievous injuries after he and his wife were allegedly attacked with a sickle by his father-in-law
Tenkasi: A 23-year-old man sustained grievous injuries after he and his wife were allegedly attacked with a sickle by his father-in-law at their rented house near Pavoorchatram in Tenkasi district on Thursday night. Police said Akash, who works as a daily wage labourer plucking gooseberries in private orchards, returned home around 9.15pm after work. No caste angle in the incident has been confirmed as the father maintained cordial relations with his daughter and would occasionally visit her after the wedding.
Police said Murugan allegedly took out a concealed sickle and attacked Akash, inflicting multiple cut injuries on his hand and legs. A senior police officer told TOI that Akash belongs to the Nadar community and Sushmitha to the Thevar community. “The father attacked Akash in a fit of anger over the perceived neglect of his daughter,” the official added.
Police ruled out the caste angle in the attack. Sushmitha’s father Murugan then came there on a motorcycle around 10pm. When Sushmitha attempted to intervene, she too was attacked and suffered minor injuries on her hand. Hearing the couple’s cries for help, neighbours rushed to the house. Murugan fled the scene on his motorcycle. Based on information about the incident, Pavoorchatram police rushed to the spot and shifted the couple to Tenkasi Govt Medical College Hospital. Akash was admitted to the intensive care unit. Police registered a case and arrested Murugan.
The victims, Akash , 23, from Alangulam, and Sushmitha , 21, from Mel Ariyanayagipuram, both from different communities, fell in love and married three months ago despite opposition from the woman’s family.
The couple, both college graduates, have been living at Sivakamipuram near Pavoorchatram since then.