NAGAPATTINAM: A 42-year-old man here was arrested on Wednesday night for allegedly burning down his father’s auto parts store on Tuesday night. Although no casualties were reported, up to eight two-wheelers that were parked in the adjacent store were ripped open in the incident. According to sources, Mr Lakshmanan from Thamaraipulam village in Thalaignayiru, a labourer, lived with his mother Sellam after the latter separated from her husband Mariappan. Mariappan stays with his second wife Gandhimathi and their daughter.
Mariappan ran an auto parts store near his home. Lakshmanan allegedly continued to visit his father to demand money and sometimes got into altercations as well. On Tuesday evening, Lakshmanan went to Mariappan’s house to ask for money, but Mariappan’s second wife, Gandhimathi, and his daughter informed him that he was not at home, sources said. Lakshmanan, who was reportedly intoxicated, then argued with Gandhimathi. Fearing for his safety, Gandhimathi let go of his dog which bit Lakshmanan and chased him away, they added.
A furious Lakshmanan then set fire to his father’s shop around 11:30 p.m. The flames also spread to the adjacent machine shop owned by Rajadurai and destroyed eight two-wheelers, sources said. Two fire and rescue teams extinguished the flames in the two businesses after an hour. On Wednesday morning, Mariappan filed a complaint with Vettaikaraniruppu police saying her son Lakshmanan allegedly set the shops on fire. After investigation, Lakshmanan reportedly confessed to the arson.
Lakshmanan was convicted under section 435 (arson) of the IPC and was taken into custody at Mayiladuthurai sub-prison. Further investigations are ongoing.
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