T’puram: Fort police booked a man and his wife for allegedly assaulting his 73-year-old mother at Attukal, leaving her with multiple injuries, including a split lip that required eight stitches.The accused are Madhu and his wife, Athira, residents of Kalady near Attukal. The victim, Saraswathi, sustained injuries to her head and nose besides suffering wounds across her body. She is currently undergoing treatment.Police said the assault stemmed from a long-standing dispute over property and finances. Madhu had allegedly availed a loan of Rs 5 lakh by mortgaging property owned by Saraswathi. For the past seven years, the elderly woman had been working as a domestic help to repay the loan, police said.According to police, Saraswathi was forced to leave her house some time ago and had since been staying with a neighbour. A verbal altercation reportedly broke out between Saraswathi and Athira on Tuesday, following which Madhu and Athira allegedly assaulted her.Saraswathi approached Fort police station on Wednesday to lodge a complaint. However, she later informed the police that she did not wish to pursue the complaint after learning that her son and daughter-in-law could be arrested, police said.However when locals objected, police visited the spot, recorded her statement and registered a case against the couple.State minister Bindu Krishna intervened in the matter and said the govt would ensure proper medical treatment for Saraswathi. Describing the assault as ‘brutal’, the minister said strict legal action would be taken against those responsible.
