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Man murders his family over favouritism shown to sibling, stages AC blaze

In a shocking turn of events, the death of a couple and their son in Villupuram, which was considered to be the result of an air conditioner mishap, turned out to be a murder planned by the couple’s elder son. The accused, 33-year-old Govarthan, allegedly committed the crime because his parents had planned a lavish wedding for his brother, while his had been a simple affair.

According to reports, 60-year-old Raji, a welder, his wife Kalaiselvi and their son Gowthaman were found dead on May 15 after a fire engulfed their house at Subbarayan street.

The police initially believed that they were charred to death and that the fire allegedly began in the air conditioner unit. Govarthan claimed that he and his wife were sleeping in another room and rushed to help the victims when they heard noises. However, he said the room was locked from inside and they could not save anyone. However, the police were soon suspicious of this explanation as the smell of petrol emanated from the house.

According to the New Indian Express, Govarthan allegedly filled beer bottles with petrol on the night of May 14 and placed them in the room in which the three victims were sleeping. Govarthan reportedly lit the bottles and when his father ran out to get help, the elder son allegedly stabbed him.

Investigators also found traces of wick and petrol in the house and an autopsy report confirmed that Raji died of wounds, and the other two died in the blaze. There was no fault in the air conditioner, according to the police.

“The fire service team had poured water all over the house and so there was no immediate evidence at the crime scene. However, an autopsy revealed that Raji had cuts on his body and had died due to heavy blood loss. Doctors confirmed that he was not killed in the fire. Meanwhile, forensic reports revealed traces of petrol in all the samples collected from the house. Traces of glass bottle pieces with petrol patches were also identified in the house,” Villupuram Superintendent of Police S Jeyakumar told the media.

The police then took Govarthan and his wife Deepa Gayathri into custody in connection with the case. Govarthan reportedly confessed to the murder. He allegedly deeply resented his family as he felt they did not treat him as well as their younger son.

“The parents’ attitude towards Govarthan created hatred and he developed an aversion towards his family and he planned to eliminate them. The couple were making arrangements for Gowtham’s lavish wedding this month. This enraged Govarthan even more,” the Superintendent of Police told The Hindu.

Moreover, Govarthan reportedly admitted to having argued with his father over property recently and hatching a plan to kill his family. Govarthan and his wife, who was witness to the crime (but did not stop him) will be presented before a magistrate at a Tindivanam court on Monday.

Source: The News Minute