Man hangs self after hacking wife, mother-in-law

KOCHI: A 48-year old man committed suicide after hacking his wife and mother-in-law on Tuesday morning. The deceased has been identified as Manoj, 48, of Sreekrishna Sadanam, Panichayam, Asamannur, Perumbavoor. His wife, Sandhya, 34, a nursing assistant with a private hospital in Edappally, and her mother Saradha, 54, both of whom sustained grave injuries, are under treatment at a city hospital. The condition of Sandhya is critical, said hospital authorities.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 7.30 pm on Tuesday at Amrita Kripa Quarters, Poisha Road, near Edappally."Manoj came from Asamannur to Edappally on Tuesday morning and attacked Sandhya who had just returned to the house after having sent their son Midhun to a nearby school," said an officer.

"Following the attack, Sandhya - who sustained injuries to her face and hands - ran out of the house. Her mother, who sustained injuries on the back, also managed to get out of the house and followed Sandhya. Seeing the injured duo, local residents rushed them to the hospital. Based on the information received from them on the way to the hospital, the neighbours  informed the police."When the Cheranallur Police reached the spot, Manoj had committed suicide inside the house.

"He closed the door from the inside. The police team broke the lock and entered the house only to find him hanging," said the officer. Manoj had informed his family members that he was going to Palakkad in connection with some electrical work.  

"A preliminary investigation suggested family dispute was behind the attack. Manoj hanged himself after hacking the women," said Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner of Police K Laljy, who visited the spot. The couple had been living separately following the dispute. The body of Manoj was shifted to the Ernakulam Government Medical College Hospital for postmortem.
A detailed inquiry has begun, the police said.