Man hacks wife in front of police station for refusing to let children meet grandfather

MARAYOOR: A family dispute over his children meeting their grandfather led a man to hack his wife in front of a police station in Marayoor. The woman, Subbulakshmi, a native of Nakkupetti tribal settlement in Theerthamala, Kanthalloor, sustained serious injuries in the attack. The accused, Sivanandan, is a native of Kurathikkudi in Mankulam. The couple had been living separately following family disputes. While Subbulakshmi was staying at Theerthamala settlement, Sivanandan was living at Nakkupetti settlement. They have two daughters, aged 12 and 8.

The children are studying at the hostel of Perumala School in Kanthalloor. Sivanandan's father had expressed a wish to meet his grandchildren, but Subbulakshmi refused to allow it. This led Sivanandan to file a complaint at the Marayoor police station a few days ago. Both reached the police station around 11 am on Sunday. Although the police held discussions with them, Subbulakshmi remained unwilling to let the children go with their father. The police advised the couple to reach a compromise and sent them back.

However, an argument broke out again as soon as they crossed the police station gate. In a fit of rage, Sivanandan attacked Subbulakshmi with a machete he had brought with him. He continued hacking her even as she tried to escape and fell to the ground. The intervention of Sivakumar, a native of Mashivayal, and T K Sudhakaran of Sahayagiri, who were nearby, helped prevent further injuries.

The incident took place around 12.30 pm on Sunday. Subbulakshmi suffered around five cuts on different parts of her body. She was taken to the Marayoor Government Hospital, where she received first aid, and was later shifted to the Adimali Taluk Hospital. Marayoor police arrested Sivanandan.