A 21-year-old management student of a city college murdered his classmate, stabbed her mother and immolated himself at her residence at Thoppil Nagar in Vadavalli on Saturday evening.
M. Sruthi’s mother Latha is battling for life at a private hospital there.
According to the Vadavalli police, A. Azeem, a resident of Kalapatti, drove to Sruthi’s house around 5.30 p.m.
After chatting with her for a while, Azeem pulled out the knife he had taken with him and stabbed the girl at nine places.
He also stabbed Latha, who rushed to her daughter’s help. Latha sustained stab injuries at as many places. She fell on the floor in a pool of blood.
Azeem then poured kerosene on himself, went to the sofa where Surthi was lying with injuries and immolated himself.
The police said that his charred body was found atop Sruthi’s. Latha was found unconscious at the balcony.
The incident came to light only after Sruthi’s grandfather came out of the room he was in.
The police said that after watching television, he came out of the room for a cup of tea. He alerted his neighbours, who informed the police.
The police said that Sruthi’s father Rajeev Menon was away when the incident happened. He is a realtor.
Sruthi and Azeem were pursuing Masters in International Business and had been classmates during their undergraduate programme as well.
The police said that they were inquiring with their classmates to ascertain the motive behind the crime.
