Love, jealousy and murder: Family feud turns deadly in Tamil Nadu’s Arockianathapuram

MADURAI: A man and his wife were murdered by their son-in-law over a family dispute in Arockianathapuram, near Tirunelveli, on Sunday night.

The victims were identified as Baskar, 55, and his wife Selvarani, 53, both residents of Arockianathapuram. Their daughter, Jenifer, 30, had been in a troubled relationship with Mariakumar. After a series of disputes, Jenifer had returned to her parents' house.

The accused, 36-year-old Mariakumar, was arrested by Perumalpuram police for the double murders.

Mariakumar, who was reportedly upset over Jenifer's affair with a guest worker from North India, confronted her parents on Sunday night. An argument ensued, which escalated into violence. Mariakumar attacked Baskar and Selvarani with a sickle, killing them on the spot.

Neighbours alerted the police, and Perumalpuram officers responded promptly. Mariakumar was arrested at the scene, and the bodies of Baskar and Selvarani were sent to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for postmortem.