TUTICORIN: A 73-year-old man was beaten to death by his 23-year-old mentally challenged son at Kulathuvaipatti village near Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district on Wednesday night.
Police identified the accused as M Purushothaman and a probe was initiated into the murder case.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that Purushothaman killed his father after the latter insisted his son on taking medicines for his mental illness.
The victim Mohanraj, 73, was married second time to Anandhi after getting separated from his first wife two decades ago. Purushothaman was born to Mohanraj and Anandhi.
Purushothaman, who is a diploma graduate was mentally affected and was getting treated in a private hospital in Madurai. After his discharge he continued to be under medication.
On Wednesday night, since he did not take his medicines, Mohanraj insisted his son to take the tablet. An argument broke between the father-son duo and in a fit of rage Purushothaman attacked his father with a log on his head and face. Mohanraj died on the spot.
Ettayapuram police sent the body to Kovilpatti government hospital for an autopsy and arrested Purushothaman.