Kanimozhi (25), a resident of Ramanathapuram in Tamil nadu, allegedly murdered her father-in-law Murugesan (56) by mixing rat poison in his dinner on July 31, over alleged sexual harassment. When Murugesan complained about breathlessness along with stomachache and diarrhea, his family rushed him to the Paramakudi government hospital, where he was already undergoing asthma treatments.
The doctors began treatments on the symptoms he displayed. However, like Murugesan’s son Vinobaraj and other family members, they ruled out any possibility of foul play, and he died on August 1. It was ruled a natural death, and the body was cremated without a police report being filed. Kanimozhi and Vinobaraj were married for four years and had no children. As per her confession, Murugesan used to stay with the couple and would sexually harass her in the absence of his son.
Days following the incident, Kanimozhi found it difficult to live with the guilt and, as a result, went to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) of Keelakulam panchayat and confessed to her crime. The VAO informed the Keelathooval police, who arrested and later remanded her in prison. The police registered a case under IPC Section 302 (Murder)