THODUPUZHA: ‘Even if I go to jail, I’ll get mutton once a week. I will not get it at home’, said Hameed, who had set his son and family on fire last day, amid a talk at a nearby tea shop a few days ago. Hameed used to argue every day for not giving him fish and meat three times a day. He had filed a case at the Thodupuzha Munsiff court seeking the return of property. A case was filed in the family court for cost of living as well. On February 25, Faizal had lodged a complaint with the Karimannur police alleging that Hameed had threatened to kill him by pouring petrol if he did not return the land.

After the incident, Faizal along with his wife and children began to sleep in one room. This made the massacre easier. Hameed’s face was filled with anger as he described the incident to the police. Despite giving property, my son did not take care of me. That led to the murder, said Hameed in his statement.

Hameed told the police that Faizal had hit him on the day of the incident as well. On Saturday evening, a huge protest led by the locals was seen in the area when the accused was brought for evidence collection.

Murder was planned

The murder was planned, said Ernakulam range DIG Neeraj Kumar Gupta, who visited the crime scene. The property dispute had been going on for more than a year. The investigation has been handed over to the Thodupuzha DySP, he added.