Facing sexual assault, 28-yr-old widow hacks father-in-law to death

CHENNAI: A 28-year-old widow hacked her father-in-law to death after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault her at their house, in Anakaputhur in the wee hours of Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Perumal (58), a fish vendor. Police said his daughter-in-law, Meena (28), had been living with him and his wife, Padma (54), along with her eight-year-old daughter after her husband Manikandan died due to illness three months ago.

According to the police, Meena had been facing sexual harassment from Perumal after her husband's death, adding that he used to make inappropriate remarks and behave indecently on several occasions.
Meena had complained to her mother-in-law about the issue. On Sunday, an argument broke out between Perumal and Padma over this, and after she was assaulted, she left the house and went to her mother's house.

After the incident, Perumal allegedly threatened Meena, telling her to comply with him or face the consequences. In the wee hours of Wednesday, Perumal knocked on the room where Meena and her daughter were sleeping. She refused to open the door, but Perumal forced his way inside and allegedly attempted to sexually assault her. In an attempt to protect herself, Meena pushed him to the ground and attacked him with a sickle. Perumal sustained a fatal wound on his throat and died on the spot.

Meena then reportedly came out of the house carrying the blood-stained sickle and informed the neighbours that she had killed her father-in-law after he tried to sexually assault her. She also pleaded with them to ensure the safety of her daughter. Shocked by the turn of events, the residents alerted the police and emergency services. Personnel from the 108 ambulance confirmed that Perumal had died on the spot.

His body was sent to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. The woman was taken into custody by the Shankar Nagar police, and further investigation is under way.