Date:04/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/04/stories/2005010416580500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Man dies of stab injuries, son's hand suspected

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 3. An auto-rickshaw driver, Devadanam, who was allegedly stabbed by his son following a brawl tried to save the latter by stating that unidentified passengers attacked him with knives when he demanded the fare. Devadanam, 45, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the Osmania General Hospital on Monday.

Devadanam's wife, Yellamma, revealed to police today that Devadanam cooked up the story to save his son. According to Dabeerpura Inspector, Vazir Khan, Devadanam was admitted to the OGH on December 31 night. He told the police that three unidentified persons boarded his three-wheeler at Afzalgunj, took him to Dabeerpura and stabbed him in the abdomen when he asked for fare.

The `fact'

"But, the facts are different. That night, Devadanam went to his Buruzgalli house in drunken condition. He picked up a quarrel with his two sons, Nagaiah, 20 and Janaiah, 17," Mr. Khan said. In a fit of rage, Nagaiah stabbed his father with a knife. However, later Yellamma and Devadanam's younger brother persuaded him not to tell this to the police as Nagaiah would be imprisoned.