Man arrested for murdering his former wife, burying body in forest

The Sunguvarchatram Police on Saturday arrested a 42-year-old man on charges of murdering his first wife and burying her body in a forest area.

Police sources identified the arrested as Madhan, 42, a driver from Sunguvarchatram. He married Laila Kumari of Walajabad 16 years ago and they had two children. Since they had a difference of opinion for the last three years,  they got separated legally. 

Subsequently, Madhan married another woman  Sukanya, 30. He continued to meet his first wife. Sukanya opposed and quarrelled with Madhan. 

Following this, Madhan took Laila Kumari to a forest area in Thirupanthiyur on August 4 and murdered her, police said. He buried the body before leaving. 

In the meantime, Sunguvarchatram police registered a case and launched an investigation following a complaint from Vasantha lodged on August 6 that her daughter Laila Kumari was missing.  On Friday, Madhan surrendered to Sunguvarchatram police and admitted that he had murdered Laila Kumari. 

Police exhumed the body in the presence of revenue officers on Saturday.