The Mannanthala police have arrested Suresh, who brutally murdered his wife Haseena by slitting her throat in front of their four children at their rented house in Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram. Following the crime, Suresh attempted to mislead the police cyber cell and escape to Tamil Nadu, but his plans were foiled by prompt police action at border checkpoints and transit hubs.

The tragedy occurred just hours after a police-mediated settlement. Haseena and Suresh, who married 19 years ago after falling in love, had been facing domestic disputes, leading Haseena to temporarily leave the house. Following a missing person complaint filed by Suresh, the police held a reconciliation meeting on Monday, where the couple resolved their issues and returned home happily, planning for their children’s upcoming school term. However, an argument broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, leading Suresh to commit the murder.

After committing the crime, Suresh washed the murder weapon and abandoned his mobile phone on the road near Killipalam to mislead investigators tracking his location. While the police initially faced hurdles due to the switched-off phone, they tracked it to a mobile shop where a bystander had deposited it. Despite his efforts to flee by train or bus to Tamil Nadu, the police cordoned off the borders and arrested him. He faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and destruction of evidence.

The couple’s four children, aged between 9 and 17, are currently under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The eldest daughter, Amritha (17), was the one who courageously contacted the police after witnessing the horrific scene. The CWC and clinical psychologists from the Medical College are providing extensive psychological support to help the children cope with the severe trauma, and the government has pledged to cover their future education and living expenses.