TRIPUNITHURA: A love affair has ended in bloodshed. After stabbing his wife, her paramour, and father-in-law, Reji from Eroor surrendered before the police in Tripunithura on Thursday, sources said.
Reji who lives in Thekkumbhagam stabbed his wife Anila, 28, father-in-law Johny 62, a retired staff of Cochin Port Trust and alleged paramour Shiju 40, a native of Thaikkudam. Johny died on the spot and the others were admitted to a private hospital with serious injuries. The incident occurred between 11 am and 12.30 pm.
Reji, an autorickshaw driver stabbed Anila and her father with a kitchen knife at the spare parts shop run by her near SN Junction and stabbed Shiju at his spare parts shop at Thaikkudam and threw the knife into the Chambakkara canal. Anila has undergone surgery, but is critical. Shiju who is in the Intensive Care Unit is under observation.
“After having an affair for several years Reji married Anila six years ago and lived in a rented house in Chambakkara where she met Shiju. The couple have a four-year-old son who lives with Anila in a rented apartment near SN Junction. For the last one year there were frequent fights between Anila and Reji. Reji suspected that Anila was having an extra marital affair with Shiju and moved to his parents’ place in August,” Baiju Paulose, Circle Inspector, Tripunithura, said. Reji’s friends said Shiju organised the money to set up Anila’s shop and that Johny had supported the relationship.
They said Reji was disturbed and was planning to go abroad. He got a visa for employment in Dubai.
A few days ago Reji went to Anila’s place to meet their son, but she refused to let him. and Johny threatened him against meeting Anila. Anila allegedly had filed a divorce petition before a family court.
On Wednesday, Reji saw Anila and Shiju together on a bike near Tripunithura and was provoked.
“Reji asked Anila to withdraw the divorce petition on Thursday. When she refused, he attempted to stab Anila but Johny blocked him. In the scuffle, Reji stabbed Johny in the stomach and neck while Anila suffered injures in her back. A CITU activist took Anila to the hospital after hearing her scream,” police said.
The body of Johny will be handed over to relatives after postmortem on Friday and Reji will be produced before Judicial First Class Magistrate on Friday.