The deceased has been identified as Manikantha. Vinod Namboodiri (36), his wife Ranjani (30) and Mohini (2) are in the ICU. They are said to be out of danger.
Namboodiri is a priest at Ayyappa temple on P G Road in J C Nagar. It is not known why Namboodiri took this step.
According to the police, Namboodiri returned home after performing rituals in the temple. He locked the doors from inside and the couple consumed poison and fed the same to their children. Neighbours grew suspicious when foul smell started emanating from the house in the evening.
They alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and broke open the door. But it was too late to save Manikantha.
The couple and their daughter were still alive. They were rushed to the hospital, said the police. Neighbours said Namboodiri was suffering from high blood pressure and facing a financial crunch.
