Man, who stabbed wife to death in mid of road, arrested from bar

CHERTHALA: The police arrested the man, who stabbed his wife to death in the middle of the road when she was returning from work. Rajesh (42) of Pallipuram Vallyaveli, an employee of the irrigation department, was arrested from a bar in Kanjikuzhi. He fled after committing the murder.

The dead was Ambili (36), daughter of C P Babu and Ammini of Pallipuram Chettikad. Ambili, a collection agent of the Co-operative Bank, was returning on her two-wheeler after work. Rajesh, who was on a bike, knocked her down from behind and then stabbed her to death.

The incident that shocked the nation happened at Pallipuram Pallichanda on Cherthala-Arukutty road yesterday at 6.30 pm. Though the locals rushed her to a private hospital in Cherthala, her life could not be saved. She sustained injuries on her neck and back. Rajesh escaped with Ambili's cash bag and collection machine. During the police search, an empty bag was found from behind Rajesh's house. The police recovered his mobile phone from the spot.

The two, who got married after years of being in a relationship, was estranged due to family issues. Ambili used to go for work from her own house. The police said that despite many discussions, they could not unite.

The investigation was led by Cherthala circle inspector G Praiju and sub inspector K P Anil Kumar. The body will be handed over to her relatives after the post-mortem at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. Rajalakshmi and Rahul are their children.