Police arrested a 40-year-old pharmacist on Sunday for brutally attacking his father-in-law at Usampadi village near Tiruvannamalai town.

Police said the arrested person, identified as K. Murugan, ran a pharmacy in Keel Pudur Madura village near the town. Initial inquiry revealed that he married P. Sri Devi, 38, the daughter of the victim T. Parasuraman, 60, more than a decade ago. The couple has two children and lives in Madalampadi village. 

Police said that the couple used to quarrel regularly, as Sri Devi, who works as a nurse in a government health centre, gave her salary to her parents. The couple got into another argument over their son’s NEET coaching fees at a private institute.

Police said that a few days ago, Murugan locked the house and left his wife and children outside the house as a punishment for her. Along with her children, Sri Devi went to her parents house.

Police said that as children had to go to school on Monday, Sri Devi and her father, Parasuraman, came to the pharmacy to meet Murugan. An argument broke out between Parasuraman and Murugan over Sri Devi’s salary. In a fit of rage, Murugan reportedly attacked his father-in-law with a sharp weapon and fled the spot.

Police said onlookers rescued the badly injured Parasuraman and admitted him to Government Medical College Hospital in the town. Based on an alert, police nabbed Murugan from his hideout in the village. A case was registered. He was lodged at the sub-jail in Tiruvannamalai town. Further probe is underway.