Drug-addict assailant arrested; attempt to strangulate woman doctor at her house; previous rivalry with quotation gang the reason for attack?

ALAPPUZHA/MUHAMMA: A drug addict has been arrested for attempting to murder a woman doctor of Alappuzha General Hospital by strangulating her to death in the kitchen of a rented house. The accused Sunilal (31) was overpowered by the doctor, her husband and the locals by throwing chilli powder in his eyes. He was handed over to the police.

The incident took place at around 7.30 am yesterday at the rented house in Kalavoor, where the woman doctor, her husband, who is a doctor at a private hospital, and their two sons, aged five and two, live. The husband, who had returned from the gymnasium, connected the electric vehicle to charge, left the front door open and went into the inner room to iron clothes. At this time, Sunilal jumped over the wall and reached the house. The attacker opened the front door and attacked the woman doctor, who was cooking in the kitchen, from behind.

He grabbed her by the neck and dropped her to the floor. The woman doctor stabbed Sunilal in the face with a spoon. With that, his grip loosened. Hearing the doctor's cries, her husband rushed to the spot and tried to subdue Sunil. Looking for weapons, Sunilal took the hit spray that is used to kill bugs and tried to use it. Hearing the commotion, the locals rushed to the spot. Meanwhile, the woman doctor picked up chilli powder and threw it in Sunilal's eyes. Sunilal was overpowered by the locals who tied his hands and legs with a rope. They then informed the police. Police said Sunilal was in a state of excessive intoxication. A case of attempt to murder has been registered. The court remanded Sunilal. The doctor sought treatment at the hospital after she complained of pain in her shoulder and neck.

Former rivalry behind the attack?

The woman doctor is a native of Kalavoor. Her husband is a native of Kottayam. During the Covid period, when her husband was working at a family health centre, youths belonging to a quotation team had come to the hospital and beat him up demanding that wound be stitched. A case is pending in this regard. Yesterday, Sunil had called the doctor by name during the attack. This is the reason why yesterday's attack is suspected to be linked to the old incident. The accused is not known to the couple. There were no attempts of theft in the house.