Retired BSNL officer murdered by daughter's boyfriend in Chennai

CHENNAI: A 64-year-old retired BSNL officer was strangled by her daughter's boyfriend in Mogappair East here on Monday night. The murder happened after the woman, identified as Mythili, scolded her daughter, Rithika, for returning home late from work.

Rithika, who works at a private firm in Porur, was in a relationship with S Shyam Kannan, 24, for three years, despite her mother's disapproval. Shyam, a resident of Golden George Nagar and Rithika's junior in college, frequently visited their home, which Mythili opposed. The mother-daughter duo had argued over this issue for some time.

Shyam, a native of Virudhunagar district, is a BA sociology graduate preparing for the civil services examination at an academy in the locality. Mythili’s husband, Jayakumar, had been living in Vandavasi for the past five years due to marital discord, police said.

On Monday night, after Mythili reprimanded Rithika for being late, an angry Rithika left the house and called Shyam to come over. When Shyam arrived and tried to calm Rithika, Mythili came out searching for her daughter. Upon seeing Shyam entering the house, Mythili stopped him and confronted him, raising objections to their relationship.

Police said Shyam repeatedly asked her to lower her voice, fearing that the neighbours might hear their argument. Even as she was raising her voice, he strangled her with his hands.

When Mythili collapsed, Rithika and Shyam rushed her to hospital, where she was declared dead. Later, Rithika informed the JJ Nagar police about the incident. The police arrested Shyam on murder charges. Rithika was also being questioned by the police as part of the investigation.

Mythili's body was sent to Govt Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for postmortem.