A 39-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his elderly mother after tying her to an electric pole for stealing a cauliflower from his farm, reported news agency IANS. The accused has been identified as Satrughna Mahanta, a resident of Saraspasi village in Odisha's Keonjhar district. The incident took place on December 20.
"On Saturday, we were informed by some villagers that the elderly woman had come to a hospital for treatment. Our staff immediately rushed to the hospital and recorded her statement. Following investigation, we found the allegations against the accused son were prima facie true. So, we arrested Mahanta after registering a case against him," a police officer said, quoted IANS.
The official said the woman had two sons, and the elder son had passed away a few years ago. She has been staying alone following familial discord with her son. He said the woman used to live on government ration and at the mercy of other villagers.
Then one day, she was in dire need of money and sold a cauliflower from her son's farm to a neighbour. When her son came to know about the incident, he tied the sexagenarian to an electric pole and thrashed her brutally.