Stabbed by her son, ex-Kochi woman councillor asks cops not to file case, says he was sorry

Kochi: Former Kochi Corporation councillor of Kaloor South ward, Gracy Joseph, who was stabbed by her son earlier this month, has said she holds no grudge against him and only wishes for his recovery through proper treatment and counselling. The police have not registered a case as she has given in writing that she has no complaints. 

The incident happened on the evening of September 11 at Joseph’s shop in Kaloor, near her residence. Following a heated exchange, her 23-year-old son attacked her with a knife. Gracy, who sustained three stab wounds, is now recuperating. Her wounds are now healing, and she remains hopeful about his future. 

“I have no complaints against my son. I only want him to get good medical treatment and counselling. With the help of the police, he has been shifted to a hospital and is undergoing treatment there,” she told Onmanorama. 

She explained that he had been under medication but was not taking it regularly. “Because of not taking medicines properly, he lost control and attacked me,” she said. 

Recounting the incident, Joseph said, “I have a shop in Kaloor near my house. He stabbed me out of the sudden provocation at the shop. Earlier, we had minor arguments, but this is the first time he turned violent. I was shocked.”  Joseph, who has been active in politics for years, believes her son’s resentment towards her public life contributed to the outburst. 

“I am a politician and have been active in the public sphere for a long time. Earlier, when I contested the LSGD polls, there was a targeted campaign against me, and even defamatory posters were pasted in public. Because of all this, my son was upset with me and not okay with my political life. I suspect this was the main reason, and, over time, it worsened his relationship with me,” she said. 

Once a bright student, he lost focus after these incidents, she added. He dropped out after Class 12 and has not pursued further studies or a job, Joseph added. 

‘He regrets it’ 
According to Joseph, he has expressed deep remorse since the attack. “He apologised to me many times already and confessed it happened because he could not control himself. But after the incident, he decided to take treatment. I am his mother. What good will it do if I lodge a complaint and get him arrested? Instead, I should help him to recover and lead a good life. So I gave in writing to the police that I had no complaints,” she said. 

Ernakulam Town North police confirmed that no case has been registered. “We approached her to press charges, but she refused. She instead sought our help to take him to the counselling centre, and we did so,” said police sources. 

Joseph said her son is now cooperating with counselling sessions. “He is happy now and we hope he will step back into his life and build his future soon,” she added. 

Asked about her political plans, Joseph said she has not yet decided whether to contest elections again but will continue to remain active in public life. “My son would understand that I am a politician. I hope he will agree with me engaging in public activities. I am currently the president of our residents’ association,” she said.