A 37-year-old man, identified as Jagdish Dashrath Petkule, was arrested on Thursday night in Dongargaon village after he allegedly assaulted his 65-year-old mother, Sumitra Petkule, to death following an argument over the preparation of bitter gourd curry for dinner.
The incident occurred in Mul taluka of Chandrapur, in the eastern part of Maharashtra. According to police, the accused was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the altercation and had a history of alcohol dependence.
Villagers alerted authorities soon after learning about the assault, and a team from Mul police station detained him shortly thereafter. A case has been registered, the body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and a detailed investigation is underway to establish the precise sequence of events and circumstances surrounding the crime.
A Trivial Dispute That Turned Deadly
What began as a domestic disagreement over the evening meal reportedly spiralled into fatal violence late on Thursday night. Preliminary findings suggest that Jagdish Petkule returned home and objected to his mother preparing bitter gourd curry, a dish he allegedly disliked.
The exchange quickly escalated into a heated argument. Police officials stated that in the course of the quarrel, the accused allegedly assaulted his mother with repeated kicks and punches. Sumitra Petkule is believed to have succumbed to her injuries at the scene before medical help could arrive.
An investigating officer said that the dispute appeared to stem from a “minor domestic issue that escalated uncontrollably”. He added that the accused was allegedly intoxicated at the time, which may have aggravated his behaviour and impaired his judgement.
Villagers reported hearing raised voices and later noticed unusual commotion near the house. Some residents claimed that the accused appeared disoriented and was speaking incoherently, which prompted them to alert the police.
Upon receiving information, officers rushed to the scene, secured the premises and detained the accused. The victim’s body was subsequently sent for post-mortem to determine the exact cause and extent of injuries. Authorities have emphasised that the investigation is ongoing and that forensic findings will play a crucial role in confirming the sequence of events.
Strained Circumstances And Ongoing Investigation
Police sources have indicated that Petkule had been facing personal challenges in recent months. His wife had reportedly left him around two months prior to the incident, after which he had been living with his elderly mother. Investigators are exploring whether emotional distress, compounded by alleged alcohol dependence, contributed to the escalation of violence.
Officials have confirmed that a criminal case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Statements from neighbours and other potential witnesses are being recorded, and investigators are examining the broader circumstances within the household.
“We are looking into all aspects, including the accused’s mental and emotional state, history of alcohol consumption and any prior domestic disputes,” a senior officer said. He further noted that while the initial trigger appears to have been a disagreement over food, deeper underlying tensions may have played a role.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, where such extreme acts of domestic violence are rare. Neighbours described the deceased as a quiet elderly woman who largely kept to herself. Many expressed disbelief that a disagreement over a routine matter could result in such an irreversible tragedy. Community members have called for greater awareness around substance abuse and family counselling resources in rural areas.
Authorities have reiterated that alcohol misuse often acts as a catalyst in domestic altercations, particularly where emotional distress and unresolved grievances exist. While the legal process will determine culpability, police have urged families to seek help in situations where addiction or repeated conflict threatens household harmony.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The heartbreaking loss of a mother’s life over a trivial domestic disagreement forces us to confront difficult questions about anger, addiction and emotional resilience within families. While the law will take its course, incidents like this underscore how unchecked substance dependence and unaddressed emotional turmoil can devastate entire households. No disagreement however heated should ever culminate in violence.
Beyond the immediate criminal act lies a broader social challenge. Rural and semi-urban communities often lack accessible mental health services, addiction support systems and structured avenues for conflict resolution. When personal struggles remain unspoken and untreated, everyday tensions can snowball into catastrophic outcomes. The stigma surrounding counselling, particularly for men dealing with emotional distress or marital breakdown, can further isolate individuals at their most vulnerable.
