Tamil Nadu: Ariyalur Man Kills Month-Old Grandson Over 'Bad Luck'

The infant's parents, S Balamurugan and V Sangeetha, both in their twenties, recently had a baby boy on May 7.

During interrogation, Veeramuthu reportedly confessed to the crime, citing his unfounded fears of the infant's purported 'bad luck.'

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A 58-year-old man was arrested for allegedly murdering his one-month-old grandson at Jayankondam in Ariyalur district. The arrest came after the police found the lifeless body of the baby concealed inside a barrel near the residence of the accused, identified as Veeramuthu. Reports indicate that the murder took place three days prior to the finding. 

According to preliminary investigation, the infant, born in the Tamil month of Chithirai, fell victim to Veeramuthu's superstitious beliefs, which allegedly deemed the child to be a bearer of 'bad luck'. 

 

The infant's parents, S Balamurugan and V Sangeetha, both in their twenties, recently had a baby boy on May 7, reported The News Minute.

On the day of the crime, Sangeetha had fed the baby before falling asleep. However, the baby was missing when she woke up.

When Veeramuthu returned home, she reportedly asked about the infant's whereabouts. Realising the baby was missing, the family member including Veeramuthu immediately started a frantic search to find the child, according to a report on The New Indian Express.

During interrogation, Veeramuthu reportedly confessed to the crime, citing his unfounded fears of the infant's purported 'bad luck.'

 

The police said, Veeramuthu's concerns about the perceived 'bad luck' associated with the child's birth month, coupled with financial pressures stemming from his daughter's marriage, may have motivated the heinous act.

Veeramuthu also had reportedly mentioned that he committed the crime on the advice of an astrologer. The astrologer allegedly told him that a baby born in Chithirai (April to May) would bring bad luck and may pose as a threat to his life.

Meanwhile, Veeramuthu's arrest has prompted widespread condemnation with authorities filing a case against him under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).