The death of a couple and their son in Tindivanam a few days ago, which was then reported to be caused by an air conditioner explosion turned out to be a plotted murder by the elder son. The accused, 33-year-old Govardhan, allegedly murdered his family because he was angry that his parents had planned a grand wedding for his brother, while his was a simple one, reported The News Minute.
The Tindivanam police said on Saturday, 18 May, that they have arrested him for allegedly setting the fire and stabbing his father, reported The New Indian Express. The man’s wife, who caught him in the act but did not inform the police, was also arrested.
60-year-old Raji, his wife Kalaiselvi and their son Gowthaman were found dead on 15 May after a fire engulfed their house at Subbarayan street in Tindivanam.
Govardhan’s Version of Events
Initial reports suggested that the fire allegedly began in the air conditioner unit.
Govardhan said that he and his wife were sleeping in another room and when they heard the screams, they rushed to help. He said he couldn’t help them because the room was locked from inside, reported The News Minute.
Suspicion grew as his story didn’t match with the fact that there was the smell of petrol coming from the house and the compressor of the AC was not damaged at all.
Upon investigation, it was found that Govardhan had filled beer bottles with petrol, placed them in the room in which the three were asleep, and lit the fire. When his father ran out of the room, the son stabbed him, reported The New Indian Express.
“Autopsy revealed that Raji had cuts on his body and had died due to heavy blood loss,” said police, according to the media report.
Doctors too confirmed that he was not killed by the fire. Forensic reports revealed traces of petrol in all the samples collected from the house.
Brewing Sibling Rivalry Leads to Murder Plots
Govardhan had been working as a teacher in a private school for four years before he quit the job and started a tuition centre. Business losses took a toll on him, pushing him to run a travel agency, reported The Hindu.
Raji and Kala had apparently pampered their younger son Gowtham while Govardhan felt neglected.
“The parents’ attitude towards Govardhan created hatred and he developed aversion towards his family and he planned to eliminate them. The couple were making arrangements for Gowtham’s lavish wedding this month. This enraged Govardhan even more and he brought petrol and filled it in three beer bottles,” the Superintendent of Police said, reported The Hindu.
(With inputs from The Hindu, The New Indian Express, The News Minute)
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