Two houses torched, sets mother-in-law on fire; Culprit arrested from Idukki

IDUKKI: In a disturbing incident, a man in rage set fire to two houses belonging to his mother-in-law and his brother-in-law. The incident took place in Idukki Kochumala. Annakutty and her son Prince's house was set on fire by the culprit, who is the second husband of Annakutty’s daughter Princey. The culprit, Kanjikuzhy native Santhosh was arrested by the police from Bodimettu check post.

According to police, Santhosh had previously attempted to immolate both Annakutty and her grandson. This time, a major tragedy was averted as both houses were unoccupied when Santhosh started the fire. Annakutty's house was completely burnt and Prince's house suffered minor damages in the arson attack.

Some days back, Santhosh tried to immolate Annakutty and Prince’s two-year-old toddler. In the incident, Annakutty suffered 30 % burn injuries while the toddler is still undergoing treatment with 15% burns. The rage within Santhosh simmered due to his wife deciding to go abroad for work leaving him here.

Princey is working as a nurse in Italy. Santosh was not interested in his wife going abroad and he reached his wife's house on June 5 and raised a ruckus demanding the family bring her back. The verbal feud soon ended with Santhosh pouring petrol over the elderly woman and the toddler and setting them on fire.

After the incident, Santhosh picked up his child (from his first marriage) from school and dropped him at his brother’s house. He then threw away his phone and eloped. Police were searching for him when Santhosh decided to set both houses on fire.