Mistaken identity: Sleeping woman stabbed

In a case of mistaken identity, a 46-year-old woman, who slept in her son’s bedroom, was allegedly stabbed by the relative of her daughter-in-law, in Mylapore on Thursday. The attack happened hours after her son divorced his wife and was involved in a verbal duel with her relatives inside the court premises.

The woman, Karpagam, is currently undergoing treatment in Royapettah government hospital. On Thursday morning, her son Vasanthakumar (26) had obtained divorce from his wife Preethi (23), whom he married three years ago. As they were not in good terms, Vasanthakumar wanted a divorce on mutual consent. But Preethi refused, which led to the court case.

When the couple came out of the court, Vasanthakumar allegedly abused Preethi’s relatives, which led to a squabble between the two families.

The police said Preethi’s relative Arun, who heard about the issue, decided to murder Vasanthakumar. On Thursday night, Arun reached Vasanthakumar’s home in Mylapore with two relatives and waited till the family went to sleep. Arun knew the room where he usually slept, and the door not being latched from inside helped them gain easy entry into the house at around 11.30 pm.

But that night, Vasanthakumar slept in another room while his mother slept in his place covering herself with a blanket. Without knowing that it was not their target, the trio allegedly surrounded the woman and gagged her using the blanket. Then they stabbed her multiple times. After they noticed it was woman they escaped from the scene.

Karpagam finally managed to remove the gag and called out for help. When Vasanthakumar reached the room, he reportedly saw the three running away from there. He informed the police and took his critically injured mother to Government Royapettah hospital where she is undergoing treatment.

The Mylapore police have registered a case and are on the look for the three relatives.