A horrific incident in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has sent shockwaves across the state after a man allegedly murdered his estranged wife at her workplace and then posted a deeply disturbing selfie with her body as his WhatsApp status, accompanied by a shocking message.
The accused, identified as S. Balamurugan (32) of Tirunelveli, was arrested by the Rathinapuri police for the brutal murder of his wife, Sri Priya (30).
The Conflict: Estrangement and Suspicion
The couple, who had two children, was living separately due to marital differences. Sri Priya had left Balamurugan approximately four months ago and moved to Coimbatore, where she was working and residing in a women’s hostel on Raja Naidu Street near Gandhipuram.
- Suspected Affair: Police investigation revealed that Balamurugan suspected Sri Priya of being in an extramarital relationship with one of his distant relatives.
- Confrontation: Balamurugan visited his wife at the hostel on Sunday, demanding that she end the relationship and return home with him to Tirunelveli. Sri Priya reportedly refused to reconcile, leading to a heated argument between the two.
The Horrific Act and Digital Confession
The situation quickly turned fatal during the confrontation on the hostel premises.
- Brutal Attack: Enraged by her refusal, Balamurugan reportedly took out a sickle he had brought with him and attacked Sri Priya, hacking her multiple times. She died on the spot in a pool of blood.
- Chilling Selfie: In a shocking display of callousness, Balamurugan did not attempt to flee. Instead, he took a selfie with Sri Priya’s corpse and uploaded it as his WhatsApp status with the caption: “Payment for betrayal is death.”
Arrest and Investigation
The crime came to light after other women at the hostel raised an alarm and informed the police.
- Apprehension: When Rathinapuri police arrived at the scene, they found Balamurugan sitting near his deceased wife's body. He was immediately taken into custody.
- Legal Action: The police have registered a case of murder and the accused has been produced before a judicial magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. Sri Priya’s body was sent to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The incident highlights the frightening rise of domestic violence and the misuse of social media platforms to publicize heinous crimes, sparking widespread outrage over the tragedy.
