C. Muthu Selvi (28), who was assaulted at her house at Panaiyur under Silaiman police station limits in the early hours of Tuesday, succumbed at the hospital on Thursday.
Police have altered the case to murder from attempt-to-murder and are investigating as to whether her husband Chinna Thambi (37), who had also sustained injuries, murdered her or some outsiders had attacked the couple.
The father of the deceased, M. Subbiah (50), had lodged a complaint to find out who assaulted the couple.
The couple were found with injuries and rushed to hospital where the woman lost her consciousness. The man, who claimed that he was under the influence of liquor during the attack, has been pleading with the police to protect him.
The police said that Chinna Thambi, involved in making ropes, was a drunk. He used to quarrel with his wife often. On Monday night, he had returned home late in the night after drinking. In the morning, the man was seen sitting outside with blood.
Earlier, the family members from both sides — the man and wife — had sought that no action was needed on the assault, which they called as “the usual one between couples.” Only after the woman slipped into unconsciousness did the father lodge a complaint to identify the perpetrators.
“We suspect that the couple could have fought between themselves. We are also probing whether any outsider was involved,” a police officer said.
