A man was arrested by the Bhavani police on Thursday (July 30) for allegedly assaulting and threatening his visually impaired estranged wife and a functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) over the compensation awarded following the death of their son in the Karur stampede on September 27, 2025.

The police said Kandasamy and Shanthi, residents of Jambai, have been living separately for the past two years. Shanthi is visually impaired.

Their 19-year-old son, Mohan, died of suffocation after being caught in the crowd in Karur last year. Following his death, Shanthi received ₹30 lakh as compensation. The police said Kandasamy had been demanding half the amount and had been quarrelling with her over the issue.

On July 10, Mahalingam, the TVK’s Jambai town secretary, accompanied Shanthi to collect the certificate for the ₹10 lakh relief announced by the State government, which had been deposited as a fixed deposit in her name.

The police said Kandasamy confronted Shanthi and Mahalingam, abused them, assaulted them and threatened them with dire consequences.

Based on a complaint lodged by Mahalingam, the Bhavani police registered a case against Kandasamy on charges including assault, criminal intimidation and under provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is under way.

Published - July 30, 2026 06:18 pm IST