CHENNAI: A 45-year-old man was killed by his mother-in-law, who used a grinding stone, with which he had attacked his wife, in Manimangalam, during a drunken quarrel.

The deceased was identified as Dinakaran, a daily-wage labourer, a resident of Gandhi Nagar in Manimangalam. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Police said that Dinakaran was addicted to alcohol and frequently returned home drunk and argued with family members. On Thursday night, Dinakaran had come home intoxicated and argued with his wife, Amala Rani, in front of her mother, Vijayalakshmi.

Suddenly, Dinakaran tried to attack Amala by hurling a heavy grinding stone but she quickly moved aside and had a narrow escape. Enraged by the incident and fearing that her daughter would be killed, Vijayalakshmi picked up the same grinding stone and attacked Dinakaran on the head.

Police said he fell unconscious at the spot and remained there throughout the night. On Friday morning, the family members found Dinakaran lying motionless and only then they discovered that he had died.

Upon information, the Manimangalam police rushed to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem to Tambaram GH. They arrested Vijayalakshmi, and further investigation is on.