Man attacks wife with iron rod and shoots himself dead in Idukki

A 42-year-old carpenter attacked his estranged wife with an iron rod and shot himself dead in Idukki district on Friday, October 30. The incident took place at around 9:30 a.m. near the Kuzhitholu post office under the Cumbummettu police station limits. The man, identified as Santhosh from Nettithozhu, arrived at the post office on a scooter to confront his 35-year-old wife, Sreeja, who worked there as a temporary employee.

The Attack

Santhosh dragged his wife outside the post office premises and assaulted her with an iron rod. When local residents ran forward to help, he pulled out a firearm and threatened them. He then shot himself in the head and died on the spot. Sreeja suffered critical injuries during the assault and was admitted to a private hospital in Kattappana, where her medical condition remains serious. Police shifted the dead body to the Idukki Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police Investigation

Investigators stated that the couple had lived apart for the past four years, and a divorce case between them is currently pending before the court with a verdict expected soon. Police also revealed that the firearm used in the attack was unlicensed. Officers have launched a probe to find out how Santhosh managed to get the revolver and to examine the wider details of the family dispute.

Context

Family disputes involving long-term separation and pending court cases sometimes escalate into sudden acts of extreme violence. Police investigations in such cases focus on tracking the illegal source of weapons used by attackers.