'Frequent arguments over financial issues': Tamil Nadu man kills wife, 2 daughters after quarrel; surrenders to police with sickle used in murder

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A 45-year-old man hacked to death his wife and two daughters at Thiruvirunthalpuram village near Aruppukottai taluk in Virudhunagar district early on Saturday. He then surrendered to the police with the sickle he had used to murder his family.

Police said M Sundaravelu, 45, had quarrelled with his wife Poongodi, 35, on Friday night. After their children fell asleep, he took a sickle and killed her. He then killed his daughters Jeya Durga, 10, and Jeya Lakshmi, 7.

Police said Sundaravelu had returned from Singapore, where he had been working, a year ago and took up farming.

The couple had frequent arguments over financial issues and suspicions Sundaravelu had about his wife's conduct. Relatives and neighbours had mediated on several occasions, urging the couple to maintain peace for the sake of their children.

The bodies were sent to the govt hospital in Virudhunagar for post-mortem. Sundaravelu is in custody and is being questioned by the police.

Aruppukottai Taluk police have registered a case and are investigating the motive in detail.