Tormented by her husband for more than three years, a 36-year-old mother of three finally made up her mind to put an end to her misery. She tied him up and killed him by setting him on fire. Though she made it look like an accident, the woman broke down and confessed during police interrogation.
Sources with the Tiruverkadu police identified the couple as Sakthivel (39) and Brinda, residents of Anna Street, Koladi Anbu Nagar in Thiruverkadu, who are both spinach sellers in the area. They have a teenage daughter and two young sons who are studying in class I at a government school.
Sakthivel, an alcoholic, had often quarrelled with and assaulted Brinda over his suspicion of her fidelity.
Recently, he had started suspecting the activities of his 15-year-old daughter and quarrelled with his wife over it. Three months ago, Sathivel had assaulted and injured his wife and the issued was finally settled after police intervened. But Sathivel’s drinking habit led to further disagreements at home.
On Sunday evening, the family had had Aadi celebrations at home and a few relatives had turned up. An inebriated Sakthivel confronted his wife and started damaging utensils in the kitchen, forcing his three children and relatives to leave the house.
“Brinda had a heated argument with Sakthivel, at the end of which he passed out. Disappointed and enraged with her husband, Brinda then tied his legs and hands using her daughter’s dupatta and a small piece of rope. She poured kerosene on his body and set him on fire,” said M. Jayachandran, inspector of police, Tiruverkadu.
She had then left the house. Spotting smoke emerging from the house, some neighbours had rushed to inform Brinda. She returned and pretended as if the death of her husband was an accident, the officer added.
Investigators, who carried out preliminary investigations, grew suspicious over Sathivel’s death as his hands and legs were tied up. They questioned Brinda who confessed to having murdered her husband after being repeatedly tortured by him, police sources added.
Brinda was arrested on charges of murder.
