A bitter family dispute over a love marriage took a dangerous turn in Madurai district, culminating in an alleged arson attack in Thirumangalam late on Wednesday night. Police have taken swift action, arresting two members of the bride's family for the violent incident.
Love Marriage Sparks Family Feud
The conflict has its roots in the marriage of Ashvathaman, 25, and Anitha, 24. The couple, who belong to the same community, had been in a relationship and chose to tie the knot approximately five months ago. This union was solemnized against the explicit wishes of the bride's family, planting the seeds for ongoing tension.
Clash Escalates to Arson Attack
The simmering hostility boiled over on Wednesday near the Thirumangalam bus stand. A heated argument followed by a physical scuffle broke out between the bride's father, 47-year-old Kavirajan, and members of the groom Ashvathaman's family. Enraged by this confrontation, the bride's younger brother, 20-year-old Kaushik, allegedly decided to retaliate.
Later that night, Kaushik, accompanied by three other individuals, reportedly trespassed into the home of Priyadarshini, who is Ashvathaman's elder sister. Priyadarshini was known to have supported the couple's marriage. In a brazen act, the accused poured petrol inside a bedroom and set the house on fire.
Swift Response and Arrests
The Thirumangalam fire brigade responded promptly to the emergency. Firefighters managed to control and completely douse the flames within 30 minutes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the incident. This was because Priyadarshini and her immediate family were not at home at the time; they had traveled to a hospital in Madurai for the treatment of her mother-in-law.
Following the attack, Priyadarshini filed a formal complaint with the police. Acting on her statement, the Thirumangalam Town police registered a case and launched an investigation. This led to the arrest of the prime accused, Kaushik, and his father, Kavirajan. The police are continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend the three other individuals involved in the alleged crime.
