Vellore man arrested for setting daughter's house on fire over marriage dispute

Police in Vellore arrested a 54-year-old wage labourer on Friday for setting fire to his daughter's house in Agaram village near Odugathur town at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills.

What Happened

The accused, R. Anandan, was angry because his daughter Vaishnavi married Rajesh, a milk van driver, against family wishes. In a fit of rage, Anandan allegedly burned down the house of Rajesh's father, Kumar. Local residents spotted the fire and called the Veppankuppam police, who arrived quickly with firefighters. The building was empty at the time and was completely destroyed by the flames. Officers registered a case and took Anandan into custody.

Context

Arrests for arson typically follow quick local reporting and police action once property is destroyed. Domestic disputes over inter-caste or self-choice marriages sometimes lead to extreme violence in rural and semi-urban areas. Local fire services and police stations coordinate responses when neighbors report emergencies.