Mumbai Crime: Former hockey player stabbed to death by wife

Illustration/Uday Mohite

A 52-year-old former hockey player was murdered by his wife in Malad on Saturday over a family dispute. The wife, Amita, who later injured herself, is undergoing treatment at a civic hospital.

Apaiyya Chenanda, who played for Air India, Tata and Bombay hockey teams for several years, lived on the 27th floor of a plush society in Malad's Kachpada area with his 45-year-old wife, 23-year-old son, Ganpati, and a 15-year-old daughter.

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According to the police, on Saturday, when Apaiyya's children were out, his wife and he were enjoying a few drinks in the afternoon. The two soon started arguing over an issue, which took an ugly turn when Amita brought a knife from the kitchen and stabbed him seven times. She then injured herself, the police said.

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The neighbours were alerted to the incident after Apaiyya started screaming for help. They informed the police control room and rushed the injured couple to Shatabdi hospital. Apaiyya was declared dead by doctors, while Amita is undergoing treatment.

Wife yet to be arrested
The Malad police have registered a case of murder against Amita on the complaint of Ganpati, who is an engineering student. At the time of going to press, the investigators were in the process of recording the statements of Apaiyya's son and daughter to ascertain the motive.

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Amita is Apaiyya's second wife and Ganpati is his son from his first wife. Neighbours said the couple used to fight frequently over petty issues as Amita was short-tempered.

An officer from Malad police station said Amita would be arrested once doctors declared her medically fit.

Former India hockey forward Gavin Fereira said: "The news comes as a shock to me because he used to live on the same street as me - DMonte Lane in Malad. He was a tall right-outer, 6-foot-plus and a bit unconventional for a hockey forward. But he was a good player and had a humble nature. He was very skilful and hardworking just like most Coorgi players. I played against him in early 1990s when he represented Tatas and I played for Mahindra & Mahindra."

Former India hockey coach Clarence Lobo who had played alongside Chenanda, said, "I'm shocked by what has happened. He was a fit and quick right winger. He hit powerfully in the striking circle. He hailed from Coorg and then came to Bangalore, where Air India picked him."