A 78-year-old retired engineer in Valsad town was murdered by his wife who could no longer take his constant insinuations about her having an extramarital affair.
On Tuesday, police detained the deceased Amritlal Patel’s wife Lakshmi (71) following a complaint lodged by the victim’s nephew Kamlesh.
On Monday, Lakshmi had gone to the temple and ever since she returned, her husband kept on accused her of having gone to meet some man. He allegedly kept abusing her throughout the day and even tried hitting her with a glass bottle. She dodged and managed to save herself.
Kamlesh told police that his uncle and aunt used to fight frequently as the former always cast aspersions on her character. Around four times in the past, Kamlesh had to strike truce between the couple.
Things came to a pass during dinner when Amritlal again started abusing her and tried to attack her. In retaliation, Lakshmi picked up the wooden washing paddle and hit him. He collapsed on the floor and suffered multiple injuries.
“My uncle used to doubt my aunt and often fought with her. On Monday, during the fight she hit him on the head and he suffered injuries in the abdominal area and died,” Kamlesh told police.
Amritlal had retired around 15 years ago from a leading textile mill in Mumbai. Lakshmi has studied up to graduation from Valsad. Both daughters of the couple are married and settled in the US and Dubai. Amritlal’s family is originally from Valsad town and his father was a superintendent in customs and central excise. The couple had shifted to Valsad from Mumbai 15 years ago.
“The old man constantly doubted that his wife had an affair with someone. The family members had tried convincing several times in the past, but in vain,” said a police officer in Valsad town police station.
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