ALAPPUZHA: K K Venu, 57, and his wife Suma, 50, did not even have the foggiest idea about their fate when they approached Suresh Kumar, a chit fund owner in whose B&B Chit company they claimed to have deposited `3.8 lakh.
But Suresh, 52, said the couple had remitted only `1.8 lakh and at the end of a verbal tussle he allegedly poured petrol over them and set them on fire. Venu, a native of Rajakkad, Idukki, and Suma, died at the Vandanam Medical College here. Special branch DySP Mohammed Kabeer Ravuthar said the police have taken Suresh into custody.
Upon reaching the hospital, the couple told the doctors Suresh, Veliyil Koman house, Kacheri junction Ambalapuzha, poured petrol over them and torched them. Police said Suresh’s company fell into doldrums in 2013 and the couple have been asking him to return the money.
“The couple reportedly told the doctor Suresh set them ablaze after pouring petrol over them. But Suresh told the police the couple themselves poured petrol and set them ablaze. We have started an investigation into the incident,” said Ravuthar.