THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The daylight murder of Sushmita, 36, allegedly by her ex husband KR Kumar at the main road in Nemom was a planned execution by the suspect who was allegedly not happy with the woman having more influence on the children than him.
A cycle of domestic violence that existed before the marriage progressed into a divorce and later murder. The lack of adequate intervention from other family members post-divorce also led to the incident, officials said. The suspect K.R. Kumar was allowed by a court to have custody of two of his children at regular intervals after the divorce. Due to Kumar’s alcoholism, the teenagers gradually developed more attachment to their mother.
On Monday, under the influence of alcohol, he decided to deny the custody of children to his ex-wife. He went to the temple without the children. He and Sushmitha argued and he allegedly stabbed her in front of the temple. The man was later caught and neutralised by the police with the help of local residents. He was produced before a court which remanded him.
The knife used for the crime was also recovered. “While this is a case of murder post-divorce it’s a case of domestic violence worsening into a serious crime. Women should approach local police in case of domestic violence or any atrocities by husbands. Many of the domestic violence cases are potential murders,” an official said.
