CHALAKUDY: Police have arrested the youth who absconded after murdering his wife. The arrested person is Suresh (40), a native of Sasthamppovam Colony. He told the police that he committed the brutal murder on suspicion of his wife's chastity. The police said that the accused had been arrested before for trying to murder his wife.

Suresh's wife Geetha was found dead in the KSEB quarters in Peringalkuthu this Thursday. Since the deceased was a tribal woman, the district police chief personally led the investigation.

Police said Suresh was earlier in the gang of notorious bandit Veerappan. He was booked in the past for cutting sandalwood trees seven times from the Parambikulam area. He is accused in about 20 criminal cases.