Elderly man held for murdering mom, mother-in-law in Puducherry

Arumugham, hailing from Chennai, had in 2015 and 2017, allegedly killed his mother-in-law and mother in a case of murder for gain.

On Sunday, Arumugham had visited Siddha practitioner Tamilselvi’s clinic and sought treatment for his ailment, Senior Superintendent of police Apoorva Gupta told media representatives.  During the diagnostic procedure, Arumugham allegedly attacked the doctor suddenly and reportedly strangled her using a stethoscope. The doctor fainted and the accused allegedly decamped with seven sovereigns she was wearing, the official said. When she regained consciousness, the doctor found the jewels missing and the shutters of the clinic closed, he said. 

When Tamilselvi raised an alarm, people in the neighbourhood rushed to her rescue and shifted her to the JIPMER hospital. Based on her description of the accused, a trap was laid and Arumugham was arrested near here. Arumugham was said to be a regular visitor to the clinic.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to have murdered the two women; and his associate Sathish (34), who helped him in dispensing with the stolen jewels, was subsequently nabbed near here, he said.

Arumugham and Sathish were produced before a local court and remanded in 15 days judicial custody.