Electrocution is what 49-year-old Rajendran from Idukki decided to inflict upon his mother for refusing to give him her pension money to buy alcohol. However, the victim, 71-year-old Mariyaselvam, was able to narrowly escape death.

The incident occurred at Chenkara near Kumily in Idukki district on Friday. The Kumily police arrested Rajendran on Saturday for attempting to murder. According to the police, Rajendran was a daily wage worker and often demanded money from his mother for alcohol. His wife and children reportedly abandoned him. The mother-son duo used to quarrel often.

On Friday, when Rajendran asked for the money, his mother refused. “That day, when the mother had gone out, he removed a high voltage electric wire from the main switch and connected it to the lock of the main door of the house. When she returned and tried to open the lock, she got an electric shock, but escaped,” said Kumily Sub Inspector Prasanth P Nair told TNM.

Mariyaselvam was admitted to Kumily government primary health centre, and then discharged to go home. After the incident, she filed a complaint at the Kumily police station, and the police arrested Rajendran.

“We have registered a case under section 307 (Attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused will be produced before the court,” the SI told TNM.

Rajendran and his mother were staying at tea estate quarters in Chenkara, which is situated 14 kms from Kumily. Mariyaselvam was working at the Harrisons Malayalam Plantations tea estate.

“The accused did not provide proper food and medical assistance to the mother,” said Kumily SI, adding, “Mariyaselvam has been surviving on the old age pension she received from the state government.”