Belief that wife left because of her mother; Son-in-law sets mother-in-law on fire; funeral of both held

PALA: Son-in-law set his mother-in-law on fire after his wife got angry and left him. The son-in-law also died of burn injuries. Pala native Somaraj's wife Nirmala (60) and son-in-law Manoj (36) died. The incident took place around 8 pm on Tuesday.

Manoj's wife Arya has been away for a long time due to Manoj doubting her. Arya was a textile employee in Ernakulam. Manoj came to his wife's house in Anthiyalam with his only son, seven-year-old Adhi. Adhi lives with Manoj. After leaving Adhi outside, Manoj went inside and poured petrol on Nirmala's head, who was watching TV and set her on fire with a lamp. Manoj also suffered burns when the petrol fell on his body. Somarajan's mother, 90-year-old Kamalakshi, poured water from a bucket on Nirmala's body to put out the fire. The locals who came running hearing the commotion, informed the fire force and police. Before they arrived, Nirmala was taken to the hospital in Karur Panchayat member Linton's vehicle. Manoj was shifted to the hospital by the police. Both of them died this morning while undergoing treatment at Kottayam Medical College. The funeral of both of them was held. Manoj's son is Adhi, a second-grade student at Karinkunnam School. Athira is Nirmala's eldest daughter.

Came with a machete a month ago

Manoj believed that Arya did not come with him because of Nirmala's instigation. Six years ago, Manoj had set fire to the house they were living on rent in Maryland. Manoj, who suffered severe burns, was undergoing treatment for a long time. Although he was a driver, Manoj did not often go to work. A month ago, Manoj had come with a machete to kill Nirmala. Arya sent a notice through the court for divorce on January 27. This angered Manoj even more.

"Manoj had brutally beaten me in a drunken state. I filed a complaint in this regard at Karinkunnam and Pala police stations. Everyone said that we should get along.

-Arya