Woman kidnaps mother-in-law at gunpoint for property, held

Dispute already cost the lives of victim’s husband and younger son

CHENNAI: The Ayanavaram police arrested a woman for allegedly kidnapping her mother-in-law at gunpoint over a property dispute, and have launched a hunt for her accomplices.

The arrested woman was identified as Menaka (29) of Tiruvallur district while a hunt is on for the main accused Rajesh Kanna. The kidnap victim, Padmini (65) of Padappai, is said to be safe.

Police said Menaka is the wife of Padmini’s elder son Senthil, who was arrested for murdering his brother Rajkumar in 2014 over property dispute. Rajkumar was married to Anandi of Sriperumbudur. After the murder, Padmini’s husband Subbarayan had divided his properties equally between the families of Senthil and Rajkumar, while keeping a house and some land for himself and Padmini.

Ever since he was released on bail, Senthil has been missing, police said. Meanwhile, his wife Menaka moved to her friend’s house in Padappai itself and began to demand the remaining properties from Subbarayan.

In 2018, Subbarayan was murdered by Rajesh Kanna, husband of Menaka’s friend, in Padappai and was arrested. After losing her husband and younger son, and not knowing the whereabouts of elder son Senthil, Padmini recently moved to her kin’s house in Ayanavaram. Police said she continued to face harassment from Menaka over the properties.

On Monday night, Menaka and Rajesh Kanna reached Padmini kin’s house in Ayanavaram in two cars and kidnapped her at gunpoint. Based on a complaint, Ayanavaram police registered a case and launched a hunt for the abductors. On Thursday morning, the kidnappers left Padmini in Ayanavaram fearing police action and escaped.

Based on Padmini’s statement, Ayanavaram police secured Menaka and are interrogating her. A hunt has been launched for Rajesh Kanna and other suspects.