Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Ernakulam (SP)

Ernakulam, Apr 9: In an incident which occurred at Angamali in Ernakulam district of the state in the early hours of Saturday April 9, a man allegedly butchered his wife and son with a sharp weapon, reportedly after finding them using the air-conditioner against his diktat.

Paul

Thomas and Mary

Mary (74) and her son, Thomas (54) from Angamali Karukutti were allegedly killed by Mary's husband, P T Paul (85). Paul, who tried to commit suicide thereafter, was stopped by his relatives from doing so, and handed over to the police.

The incident occurred at around 4 am on Saturday. Paul, it is said, was concerned at the fact that he had to shell out electricity bill of Rs 2,500 for the month of March this year because of use of air-conditioner by family members. Having been alarmed at this sudden increase in the power bill, he had left strict instructions to his close ones not to use air-conditioner.

However, when he woke up at around 4 am on Saturday and checked the room where his wife and son were sleeping, he was dismayed to find that the air-conditioner of the room was on. Having lost senses and patience, Paul immediately hit both his wife and son with sharp weapon and killed them when they were in deep sleep.

He thereafter called his daughter living at Chertala over cellphone and gave information about his dastardly act. He also tried to end his life. His daughter immediately contacted some local relatives over phone, after which they rushed to Paul's home. They saw what had happened, and handed over Paul, who was inside the house, to the police.

Paul is a retired employee of railway department. Thomas had married, but had divorced his wife thereafter and was living with parents.

Angamali police have registered a case and begun investigation.