A 21-year-old man, Akshay Vilas Hadal, was arrested Saturday night for fatally attacking his father in Palghar district to protect his mother from severe domestic abuse. Police reported Akshay attempted to destroy evidence and threatened villagers to prevent them from informing authorities.
Akshay lived with his family in Hadalpada Varnol village, Wada tehsil. His father, 45-year-old Vilas, was an alcoholic who frequently harassed his wife, Jayashri. On May 20, Vilas, reportedly intoxicated, physically abused Jayashri and then charged at her with an axe.
To protect his mother, Akshay intervened and snatched the weapon. In the ensuing struggle, he struck his father on the neck with the axe, killing him instantly.
Following the incident, Akshay and his family allegedly tried to cover up the crime by cleaning bloodstains from the house and cremating Vilas’ body. The bloodied axe was also reportedly destroyed in the pyre.
Police acted on the information and arrested Akshay. He confessed to the murder and the destruction of evidence.
An offence under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against him, and he remains in custody as investigations continue.
