Hyderabad: Police arrested a man on Friday for killing his wife in a brutal petrol attack at their residence in Tilaknagar, which falls under the Nallakunta police station limits in the city.
According to investigators, the accused, Venkatesh, attacked his wife Triveni in the early hours of Wednesday. He allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire following frequent domestic disputes. After committing the crime, he escaped from the spot, police officials said.
The incident came to light with a delay. Neighbours rushed to the house after hearing Triveni’s screams and found her with severe burn injuries. They immediately shifted her to a nearby hospital and informed the police. Despite intensive medical care, Triveni succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.
Venkatesh and Triveni had married for love and were living in Tilaknagar with their two children. However, police said the couple had been arguing repeatedly over the past few days. During questioning, investigators learnt that suspicion and ongoing conflicts led Venkatesh to plan the petrol attack.
Local residents expressed shock over the incident and said the couple often quarrelled, though none expected the situation to turn fatal. The crime has once again highlighted concerns over domestic violence and extreme acts triggered by suspicion.
Police probe petrol attack, arrest accused after manhunt
Following the petrol attack, Nallakunta police registered a case of murder and formed special teams to trace the accused. Officers tracked Venkatesh’s movements across several areas and intensified surveillance.
After sustained efforts, police located and arrested Venkatesh on Friday. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to his role in the petrol attack, officials said. Police are now gathering additional evidence and recording witness statements to strengthen the case.
Senior officers said the investigation would also focus on the sequence of events leading to the crime and whether the accused had planned the act in advance. After completing formalities, police will produce the accused before a court and seek further legal custody if required.
