KOTTAYAM: In a shocking incident, an 81-year-old man killed his 78-year-old wife by setting her ablaze in

near here on Monday following a family property dispute.

The police have registered a murder case against Varghese Mathew, a resident of Charuvelil in Manimala.

The victim, Sosamma, who was brought to the government medical college hospital (MCH) with over 80% burns succumbed to injuries by evening. Varghese, who sustained nearly 20% burns, is admitted in the MCH. A magistrate and police had recorded the statement of the victim in the hospital. The woman had said in her statement that Varghese came near her with a rag-torch and set her sari on fire. The forensic experts, who examined the crime scene, detected the presence of

.

According to the police, the elderly couple’s relationship had worsened recently following a dispute over family property. The couple had two sons, both in

Dubai

, and one daughter, who was married and settled in a nearby village. Varghese, who was working in Pune, had brought land in Manimala in the name of Sosamma and had built a house there. Sosamma gave a portion of the property to the daughter and registered it in her name, without informing Varghese. This infuriated Varghese.

Their relation had worsened to such an extent that the local police had to intervene in their quarrel in March, earlier this year. Sosamma had given a complaint that Varghese’s brother had tried to attack her. Following this incident, Varghese left for Dubai to stay with his sons. Though Sosamma also went to stay with her daughter, she returned to the house once Varghese returned two weeks ago, the police said.

Their house was located in a remote place and the neighbours went to check on the couple once they noticed smoke coming out of the house on Monday morning. After finding Sosamma in a very bad condition, they rushed her to the MCH.