Sat Nov 08 15:44:18 UTC 2025: Summary:
A 30-year-old woman, Jayanthi Lalita Devi, has been arrested in Visakhapatnam for allegedly murdering her 63-year-old mother-in-law, Jayanthi Kanaka Mahalakshmi, by setting her on fire. The incident occurred at their apartment in Appannapalem, near Vepagunta in Pendurthi. Lalita Devi reportedly planned the murder after researching methods online. She involved her eight-year-old daughter in a deceptive game, blindfolding and tying up the victim before dousing her in petrol and setting her alight. Lalita Devi initially claimed the fire was due to an electrical malfunction, but confessed during the police investigation. Her husband, Jayanthi Subrahmanyam, a local priest, stated that his mother harassed Lalita Devi.
News Article:
Visakhapatnam Woman Arrested for Allegedly Setting Mother-in-Law Ablaze
Visakhapatnam, India – November 8, 2025 – Pendurthi police have arrested Jayanthi Lalita Devi, 30, for the alleged murder of her 63-year-old mother-in-law, Jayanthi Kanaka Mahalakshmi, in their Appannapalem apartment. The incident occurred Friday night, with police making the arrest Saturday.
According to authorities, Lalita Devi meticulously planned the crime after researching murder methods online. She allegedly convinced her eight-year-old daughter to participate in a game, which involved blindfolding and restraining the victim. The suspect then doused Kanaka Mahalakshmi in petrol and ignited her.
Lalita Devi initially told neighbors that the fire was triggered by an electrical fault. However, the investigation revealed the horrifying truth, leading to her confession. The couple’s daughter sustained minor burns and is recovering in a local hospital.
Police report that Jayanthi Subrahmanyam, the victim’s son and Lalita Devi’s husband, stated that his mother had a history of harassing the accused.
Lalita Devi has been formally charged and remanded in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
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