CHENNAI: It's natural for parents to be displeased when their children don't listen to them. But this father took things too far. Upset that his son, Arun, had ignored his order to break-up with his live-in partner, autorickshaw driver Karnan 52, set fire to that the bike he had gifted him.
Karnan's temper was ignited when he spotted Arun and his partner riding on the bike. So he set fire to it on October 14. Worse, he set fire to seven other bikes of their neighbours in New Washermanpet to make it look like an accident. But this brought the cops to the scene.
As there were no CCTVs in the Amminiamman Nagar area, police were unable to solve the case initially. Then they received a complaint from Arun's live-in partner that Karnan was threatening her with dire consequences if she didn't break-up with his son.
Police started searching for Karnan who had gone missing after the bike burning incident. After nearly two months, police nabbed Karnan from Cuddalore. Police said that when interrogated Karnan told them that he was upset with his son's relationship and wanted to teach him a leason.
Quoting the accused, police said Karnan was so angry when he saw his son and the woman on the bike he had bought Arun that he decided to destroy it.
So on October 14, Karnan bought liquor from a nearby Tasmac store and some petrol in a bottle. He poured the liquor down his throat and the petrol on the bike. He set fire to the bikes parked alongside his son's bike, to make it appear like an accident. The residents, however, suspected foul play after they found an empty bottle lying nearby. There was no chance of any electric short circuit possible at the scene of crime either.
Police registered a case and a local court remanded Karnan in judicial custody on Saturday.