‘Sent parents to heaven’: Kerala man arrested for stabbing parents; had history of drug, alcohol abuse

A 35-year-old woman named Pooja died after her husband allegedly set her ablaze at her parental home in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. According to police, the incident occurred around 2.30 am on Monday. Pooja sustained burns over 80% of her body and succumbed to her injuries while being transported to a higher medical facility in Bikaner. Her husband, Sultan Ram, 40, was also injured in the attack and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Pooja had been living at her parents' home for approximately three months due to ongoing disputes with her husband. Police stated that Ram allegedly entered the house via the terrace, approached Pooja’s bedroom, doused her with petrol, and set her on fire before fleeing on a motorcycle. Family members arrived shortly after hearing her screams, extinguished the flames, and rushed her to the district hospital. However, she later died en route to PBM Hospital in Bikaner. Authorities confirmed that the couple had been married for about 15 years and had three daughters. Pooja’s family alleges that Ram had a history of assaulting her and suspected her of having an extramarital affair. Police recovered a five-litre petrol can believed to have been used in the attack from the scene. Initially, the case was registered as an attempted murder based on a complaint filed by Pooja’s brother. Following her death, the charges were upgraded to murder. The incident has drawn attention to domestic violence issues within the region. Local authorities are investigating further to determine whether there were prior reports or complaints against Ram. The case is being handled by the Sadar police station in Sri Ganganagar. In another incident in Rajasthan’s Banswara district, a man reportedly killed his mother-in-law following a dispute. Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, though local media reported the occurrence. Meanwhile, in Jaipur, three individuals were detained for the killing of a jail inmate, though specifics about the motive or circumstances of the crime have yet to be disclosed. In Kerala, a 29-year-old man named Ajeesh was arrested after allegedly stabbing his parents to death in Idukki district. According to police, Ajeesh had a history of substance abuse and had completed a de-addiction program. Upon returning from the center, he reportedly had frequent arguments with his parents. On Friday evening, he attacked them at their residence in Ezhukumvayal, stabbing both multiple times. He recorded a video of the injured pair and sent it to a relative, who then informed the parish priest and neighbors. When law enforcement arrived, they found the couple dead. Ajeesh claimed he had received a divine call instructing him to send his parents to “heaven.” Despite the presence of his grandmother, who suffers from mobility and sensory impairments, she was unaware of the incident until relatives arrived. During the investigation, Ajeesh reportedly asked about his mother after being taken to the crime scene as part of the evidence collection process. Police registered a murder case and presented him before a court, which ordered his judicial custody. His funeral will take place once his brother returns from abroad. In Uttar Pradesh, six individuals were arrested in connection with the alleged murder of occultist Anish Upadhyay. According to police, Upadhyay was summoned to perform rituals after the family encountered financial difficulties and health issues. The arrests were made by Varanasi police. Separately, in Kerala, a man who was on bail in a girlfriend’s death case reportedly poisoned himself after being released. Vaisakhan was arrested earlier this year in relation to the death of his girlfriend, though the exact nature of the case remains unspecified. These incidents highlight the varied and complex nature of criminal activity across different regions of India, ranging from domestic violence and familial disputes to more unusual cases involving occult practices and self-inflicted deaths. Investigations continue in each case, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of these tragic events.