Ex-hockey player's wife inflicts self-injury, to be arrested soon

Mumbai: Amita, the second-wife of the deceased former Hockey player Apaiyya Chenanda (52) and a resident of Malad, who allegedly stabbed her husband to death on Saturday afternoon, is yet to recover from the injuries she had inflicted upon herself with the knife. According to the officials, she has sustained injuries on the stomach and arm and is undergoing treatment at a civic-run hospital in Kandivali.

The Malad police said that it would arrest her and record her statement after she is discharged. The statements of Chenanda’s family and neighbours have been recorded. An officer revealed that during the interrogation, the neighbours said that the couple used to often fight over trivial issues.

A senior police official said that the incident took place on Saturday afternoon after the couple sat down for a few drinks when the kids were not at home, and soon an argument ensued between the two. The argument took a violent turn as Amita brought a kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed Apaiyya several times on the chest, that eventually led to his death.

The officer added that while registering the complaint, the neighbours said that Apaiyya had cried for help, but by the time he could get help it was too late. However, the neighbours rushed Apaiyya and his wife Amita to the civic-run Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali, but Apaiyya was declared dead on arrival. Amita is receiving medical treatment for the injuries she inflicted on herself.

Vikram Deshmane, deputy commissioner of police, zone 11 said, “The accused woman is still admitted in the hospital, and we cannot arrest her or record her statement unless the hospital permits us to do that. After the initial check up, she seems to be mentally stable, and there is nothing wrong with her mental stability, with which her arrest can be upheld. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is underway.”

He added, “We have questioned the neighbours and relatives, who have revealed that Amita was a short tempered woman and used to often pick fights on trivial issues.”