Chennai: A 46-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the murder

death

Chennai: A 46-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in connection with the murder of a 45-year-old Andhra Pradesh woman near Uthukottai in Tiruvallur district.

Police said Bharathi Raja and Aruna had been in a relationship and had frequent arguments after he began avoiding her. Bharathi Raja took her to a vacant agricultural field and attacked her with an iron rod and punched her in the face, according to police. The deceased, Aruna , wife of Manjunatha and a resident of Chittoor district, had come to the area to attend a marriage. She collapsed and died at the spot. Police suspect that the accused then poured motor lubricant on her face. Her body was later found near the field. Initial reports suggested that Aruna’s face had been disfigured with acid. Police later ruled out an acid attack, saying the injuries were not consistent with acid burns. Postmortem and forensic reports were awaited. Uthukottai police registered a murder case and arrested Bharathi Raja. He was later sent to Puzhal prison.

The suspect, S Bharathi Raja of Othattur Kandigai in Tiruvallur, was arrested near Periyapalayam on Saturday morning. On Friday, Aruna contacted him repeatedly, after which he went to meet her near Uthukottai.