Chennai: A 30-year-old painter was hacked to death near Thirumudivakkam by his brother-in-law and two others after he visited his estranged wife’s house and demanded that their two-year-old daughter be sent with him. Police said the brother-in-law also bore a grudge against the victim for entering into a relationship with the former’s wife.Police said Arun Pandian, 30, of Seven Wells Nagar in St Thomas Mount, married Pradeepa, 24, of Vazhuthalambedu near Thirumudivakkam about six years ago. He was addicted to alcohol and frequently quarrelled with his wife. Pradeepa separated from him about two years ago and moved to her mother’s house with their daughter.Arun then visited Pradeepa’s house several times and demanded that she allow him to take their daughter with him. Meanwhile, he eloped with Prema, the wife of Pradeepa’s brother Praveen, 20.On Saturday night, Arun again went to the house and picked a quarrel with Pradeepa and her family. During the altercation, Praveen and his friends Venkatesan, 20, and Velu, 20, attacked him with a knife.Arun’s relatives rushed him to Chromepet Government Hospital, from where he was referred to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Thirumudivakkam police filed a case and arrested Praveen, Venkatesan and Velu.
