A 38-year-old man was arrested near Thanjavur on Thursday after allegedly attacking his wife over a suspected extramarital affair and fleeing with their five-year-old son. He later posted disturbing videos on Instagram in which he spoke about killing his son and himself.
The accused, P. Dharmaraj, a resident of Mayilpalayam in Pattukkottai, was arrested following an intensive search operation. His wife sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at Thanjavur Medical College Hospital.
According to police, Dharmaraj and his wife have been married for six years. While the couple was living in Trichy last year, Dharmaraj allegedly found his wife with another man at their house. A heated argument followed, after which the couple began living separately.
Police said the couple reconciled a few days ago, and Dharmaraj moved back with his wife to Pattukkottai. However, on Wednesday, he allegedly attacked her with a sharp weapon at their residence.
After the assault, Dharmaraj allegedly took their son and went into hiding. He then uploaded a video clip on Instagram, reportedly recorded a year earlier, which allegedly showed his wife with another man. He also posted new videos of himself covered in blood and speaking about ending his life along with his son.
The videos triggered widespread alarm on social media, prompting police to launch a massive search operation.
Acting on a tip-off, a special police team apprehended Dharmaraj near Thanjavur on Thursday evening. The child was rescued safely and placed in a children's home.
Pattukkottai police registered a case against Dharmaraj under Sections 296B, 118(1), 351(3) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to Thanjavur Sub Jail.
Further investigation is underway.
