Disinherited, man hacks mother to death on MTC bus

Muthamma Balaiyam (77) and her daughter Vijayalakshmi (55) were aboard an MTC bus at Tambaram bus stop on Tuesday when Devaraj boarded it and started hacking at them. While the rest of the passengers fled, Devaraj — assuming that the women were dead — tried to flee but was caught by other people and on-duty policemen stationed nearby.

According to the police, after her husband died a few years ago, Muthamma gave two acres of land in Kayirampedu to her eldest daughter Vijayalakshmi, of her five children.

When Devaraj asked for his share, Muthamma said that since Vijayalakshmi was the only person who took the responsibility of taking care of her, only she deserves to inherit the property. This made Devaraj file a case at the Chengalpattu additional district civil court.

At 4 pm on Tuesday, Muthamma and Vijayalakshmi appeared for the and told the judge that she did not want to share the property with Devaraj. Later, the judge ordered Vijayalakshmi to be present for hearing on Wednesday. The women then reached Tambaram and boarded a bus to Porur and were consequently attacked by Devaraj.

The women were rushed to Chrompet Government Hospital where doctors declared Muthamma dead on arrival and Vijayalakshmi, who was in critical condition, was shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for treatment.

The Tambaram police have registered a case and are questioning Devaraj.