Property dispute: Kerala man sets house on fire, killing aged parents
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Burned house, Raghavan and his wife Bharati.
Alappuzha: In a tragic incident fueled by a long-standing property dispute, a man set his house on fire, killing his 92-year-old father and 90-year-old mother in Mannar near Thiruvalla, Kerala, on Saturday morning.
The accused, identified as Vijayan, was taken into police custody shortly after the incident and has confessed to the horrific crime. According to police and local sources, Vijayan had been embroiled in frequent disputes with his elderly parents and siblings over property matters.
Tensions escalated two days before the tragedy when Vijayan assaulted his parents during a heated argument. The assault was reported to the local police, who summoned him to appear before them on Saturday. Enraged by this development, Vijayan allegedly poured petrol inside the house early in the morning and set it ablaze.
Neighbors noticed smoke billowing from the residence and rushed to the scene. Despite their efforts, they were unable to save the elderly couple, who were trapped inside and succumbed to the fire.
Vijayan’s violent behavior had long been a cause of concern in the neighborhood. Locals and relatives reported that he was often aggressive and quarrelsome, prompting many to avoid interactions with him.
Following his confession, the police registered a case, charging Vijayan with murder. His relatives and a neighbor, Soman, confirmed his involvement in the crime. The police are currently awaiting a forensic report to support the investigation.
Vijayan remains in custody and is being questioned. He is expected to be produced before a local court later on Saturday. Meanwhile, residents have expressed outrage over the police’s failure to act swiftly despite prior complaints about Vijayan’s abusive behavior towards his parents.
With IANS inputs