24-year-old Jeethu, a native of Thrissur, had been living separately from her husband Viraj for the past one month, after the duo filed a petition for divorce. On Sunday, Jeethu visited the Kudumbashree office in Chengaloor with her father Janardhanan, hardly 100 meters from Viraj's house.
As Jeethu and her father were leaving the office, an irate Viraj went up to Jeethu and poured petrol over her, before setting her ablaze. Even before the onlookers could realise what was going on, Viraj fled the scene. It has now emerged that Viraj had meticulously planned to kill his wife, and also left a suicide note explaining his actions before he committed the crime and fled the scene.
Pudukkad police who are investigating the case said that they have recovered a suicide note from a bag Viraj left behind at the scene of crime. According to the Pudukkad Circle-Inspector, the note claims that Jeethu cheated on Viraj and that she "does not deserve to live."
"In the note, he keeps saying that Jeethu cheated on him and that she created huge financial liabilities for him. Viraj said in the note that he was leaving this world and that even Jeethu did not deserve to live. He has also apologised to his family and neighbours," the police said.
Three days after he immolated Jeethu and a day after she succumbed to her injuries, the police booked Viraj for murder, and is yet to nab him. Viraj, who used to work in the Gulf and was involved in welding works, continues to be absconding.
Police said that relationship between Jeethu and Viraj soured, after he saw her with another man.
"This happened a month ago. At the time she was living in Viraj's house. Following the incident, we brought them to the station. After talks, they agreed to file for divorce with mutual consent, but it looks like Viraj had been planning to kill her," the CI said.