Kochi: 82 year old Mary, native of Vytilla, Kochi, was locked up in her home and burnt to death by her stepson. Stepson Thankachan alias Xavier was taken into custody.
Initial report says that Mary was drenched in kerosene, and died as she was badly burnt. The drunkard stepson had set the home on fire after locking her up.
Thankachan, Mary’s husband’s son of his first marriage, is in his sixties. He had the habit of fighting with her at peak booze.
Neighbours came running to shut the fire, but was in vain. Police and fire force units reached the spot and doused the fire. Mary couldn’t be saved.
