The Thrissur man who died of food poisoning on Sunday was allegedly murdered by his son, an Ayurveda doctor.
Mayooranathan (25) has reportedly confessed to the crime.
According to reports, the accused told the police that he held a grudge against his father and stepmother for the death of his mother.
Saseendran had collapsed on the road and was rushed to the hospital, where his death was confirmed. His 92-year-old mother, wife and the two others also showed similar symptoms and were hospitalised.
All five had the same breakfast – idli and kadala (chickpea) curry.
Saseendran, who had kidney ailments, died at the Government Medical College Hospital. The others are undergoing treatment.
The postmortem revealed traces of poison, but the forensic surgeons could not figure out the type of poison, and sent body fluids for toxicology analysis.
Meanwhile, the cremation of Saseendran was held on Monday and Mayoornathan performed the last rites, following which he was taken in for questioning.
Online purchase history
According to reports, Mayooranathan maintained that he was innocent before the police checked his phone and found the details of chemicals ordered online.
The accused told the police that he prepared the poison using the ingredients.
The police had found traces of a mini laboratory in the house and learnt that Mayooranathan had a penchant for experimenting with chemicals.
Upset by mother's suicide
Mayooranathan told the police that his mother died by suicide eight years ago and Saseendran remarried within a year.
He has confessed to mixing the poison he prepared inside 'kadala' (chickpea) curry that Saseendran, his wife and the workers ate.
