Tiruvannamalai pharmacist arrested for assault on father-in-law during family dispute
The Tiruvannamalai police have arrested a 40-year-old pharmacist in connection with an attack on his father-in-law at Usampadi village, near Tiruvannamalai town, on Sunday. The accused, identified as K. Murugan, is alleged to have assaulted T. Parasuraman, 60, with a sharp weapon following a heated argument over family matters.
According to police, Murugan runs a pharmacy in Keel Pudur Madura village. The victim, Parasuraman, was attacked at the pharmacy and was subsequently admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruvannamalai with injuries. His current condition has not been officially disclosed.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Murugan married P. Sri Devi, 38, a nurse at a government health centre, more than a decade ago. The couple has two children and lived together in Madalampadi village. Police said the couple frequently quarrelled, primarily over Sri Devi's decision to give her salary to her parents. Another recurring source of conflict was the NEET coaching fees for their son at a private institute.
The situation escalated a few days before the attack. Police said Murugan allegedly locked the house and left his wife and children outside as a form of punishment. Following this incident, Sri Devi took the children and went to her parents' residence.
On Monday, since the children had to attend school, Sri Devi and her father Parasuraman went to Murugan's pharmacy to meet him and resolve the matter. However, the conversation soon turned into an argument, reportedly over Sri Devi's salary. In a fit of rage, Murugan allegedly attacked Parasuraman with a sharp weapon and fled the spot.
Bystanders rescued the injured Parasuraman and rushed him to the hospital. Acting on a tip-off, police tracked down Murugan from a hideout in the village and placed him under arrest. He was produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody at the sub-jail in Tiruvannamalai town. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and further investigation is underway.
The incident has drawn attention to the couple's marital discord, with police recording statements from family members. Authorities are also examining the sequence of events leading up to the attack, including the alleged locking out of the wife and children. The children, who are minors, have not been named in the case.
Police have urged the public not to engage in speculation while the investigation proceeds. They also said that all legal procedures are being followed and that the accused will be given a fair trial. Further details are expected to emerge as the probe continues.
