KOZHIKODE: Ashiq (24), who hacked his mother Subaida to death at Venakavu in Thamarassery, has been shifted to the Kuthiravattom Mental Health Centre. He was shifted after he showed mental disorder while in custody. The police will file custody plea for the accused today.

Ashiq, a drug addict, hacked his mother to death last Saturday. The police said that he was provoked for not giving money. After committing the crime, the locals caught him and handed him over to the police. 'Murder is the punishment for giving birth. I implemented that,' the youth was heard saying.

He committed the heinous crime last Saturday at 2:30 pm at the house of Subaida's sister Sakeena in Venakavu. Subaida was resting at her sister's house after a brain surgery. Ashiq went to the next house and borrowed a machete to break a coconut. He came with it, went inside the house and slashed her on her neck several times. She died before reaching the hospital.

Hearing the commotion, the locals rushed to the house and handed him over to the Thamarassery police. Ashiq, addicted to drugs, had previously been treated at de-addiction centers. He studied up to Plus Two in his hometown. He started using drugs while studying in Kozhikode.