The incident of a son set ablaze by his father has sent shock waves among the people in Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu. The physically challenged 58-year-old Veeraputhirapandian splashed kerosene on 24-year-old mentally challenged son after his son showed reluctance to board the car. His father was all set to take the son to the hospital for a regular check-up. It may be noted that his son Venkatesh had been suffering from mental illness for past four years and taking him to hospital has become a regular affair to him.

In fact, he even used to seek the help of his neighbours to tie the legs of his son whenever his son refused to board the car. This time too his neighbours tried their best to put Venkatesh in car but were unsuccessful as Venkatesh attacked them.

In a state of helplessness and disgust, father allegedly put kerosene on his son and set him ablaze. The police arrested

Veeraputhirapandian who didn’t resist the arrest. The police said that he cries and then goes into silence.  He is regretting the death but says he had no other option, added police.

Veeraputhirapandian’s wife has recently gone to United States to see her daughter, who is married an settled there. (Phani)