Retired Coast Guard official arrested for matricide

The Nemom police have recorded the arrest of a retired Coast Guard official for the alleged murder of his mother by slitting her throat near Vizhinjam late Wednesday.

Ajayakumar, 56, of Pakaloor in Kalliyoor, was apprehended in connection with the murder of his mother, Vijayakumari, 76, a retired government official. The incident occurred around 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The murder was purportedly fuelled by an argument after Vijayakumari reprimanded her son for his heavy drinking. Ajayakumar, who had a history of alcohol addiction and had undergone treatment at de-addiction centres multiple times, was living with his mother and separately from his wife and children.

According to the police, the fatal dispute began when a bottle of alcohol fell and shattered on the floor while Ajayakumar was drinking at home. When his mother scolded him over the broken bottle, he allegedly used a shard from the same bottle to slit her throat. The victim’s veins on her hands and legs were also reportedly severed.

In a suspected attempt to cover up his crime, the accused allegedly attempted to set Vijayakumari’s body on fire using liquor after the murder.

The incident came to light when their neighbours, alerted by Vijayakumari’s screams, rushed to the scene. The victim was confirmed dead on arrival at a hospital.