Elderly Couple Stabbed to Death, Grandson Seriously Injured in Palakkad

Palakkad: Police have arrested a man accused of hacking an elderly couple to death and seriously injuring their young grandson at Thottakkara in Ottapalam.

The accused has been identified as Mohammed Rafi, a native of Ponnani and the former husband of the couple’s adopted daughter. The victims were Nasir (63) of Nalakath, Thottakkara, and his wife Suhara (60). The attack took place around midnight on Sunday.

The couple’s four-year-old grandson sustained serious injuries in the assault and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Vaniyamkulam. Hospital sources said the child’s condition is stable.

According to police, Rafi reached the house late at night and attacked the couple with a sharp weapon before turning on the child. The incident came to light when the woman escaped from the house with the injured child and alerted local residents.

When police reached the spot, Rafi was found nearby with a slashed wrist. On noticing the police, he fled towards the mosque compound in the area. A joint search by the police and local residents led to his arrest shortly after.

Ottapalam police have registered a case of murder and attempt to murder and have begun a detailed investigation into the incident.