Hyderabad woman attacks mother-in-law with knife over property dispute; arrested

Police said a woman attacked her mother-in-law at a Secunderabad house during a property row. Neighbours intervened, and investigators linked the assault prima facie to the long-running dispute.

In Short

• The attack took place at Erukala Basti, Chilkalguda, around 9 am
• Police said the victim suffered serious injuries to her neck and fingers
• Neighbours rushed in after hearing screams and shifted her to hospital

A 33-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to murder her 57-year-old mother-in-law following a long-running property dispute in Secunderabad, police said. The incident took place around 9 am on Tuesday, July 21.

According to police, the victim, Devarai Padmavathi, was alone on the first floor of her house when the accused, identified as D Vijayalakshmi, allegedly entered the premises carrying a kitchen knife. Police alleged that Vijayalakshmi dragged Padmavathi by her hair before repeatedly attacking her with the knife, inflicting serious injuries to her neck and fingers.

Hearing the victim's screams, neighbours rushed to the spot, overpowered the accused and shifted Padmavathi to Gandhi Hospital. She is currently undergoing treatment and is stated to be in stable condition.

During the investigation, police found that the accused and the victim had been embroiled in a prolonged dispute over the ownership of the family house, which is believed to have led to the attack.

Hyderabad Police registered a case, inspected the crime scene, collected forensic evidence and seized the knife allegedly used in the assault. The accused was arrested within 24 hours of the incident and later produced before a court, which remanded her to judicial custody.

Police said the attack was prima facie linked to the ongoing property dispute and urged people to resolve family disputes through legal channels instead of resorting to violence.

COP DIES BY SUICIDE AT TELANGANA POLICE HEADQUARTERS

In a separate incident, a 40-year-old head constable of the Telangana Police allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with his service weapon at the state Police Headquarters in Hyderabad on Thursday, officials said. The deceased, identified as Swamy, was a native of Nalgonda district and was posted to the Director General of Police (DGP) office.

According to the preliminary investigation, Swamy is suspected to have shot himself with his service pistol inside the guards' washroom sometime between 6 am and 7.40 am. He died on the spot. AbdulHis body was discovered by another constable who entered the washroom later in the morning, following which senior officers were informed.

During the investigation, police recovered a handwritten note from a diary believed to have been left by the deceased. In the note, Swamy reportedly requested that no blame be placed on his wife and children, writing that "they are good people" and adding that he would look after them even after his death.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the alleged suicide. The exact reason behind the incident is yet to be determined.

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