Four of family end lives in suicide pact

In an apparent suicide pact, four members of a family were found dead at their house at Kodigehalli Layout, in KR Puram police limits, on Friday.

The victims were identified as Nagesh, 38, his wife Girijamma, 35 and their children Pavithra, 12, and Divya 9. Nagesh hailed from Mandya district, while Girijamma from Chitoor district in Andhra Pradesh.

Pavithra was in Class VI, while Divya was a Class IV student in a local school.
According to the police, the couple had moved to Bangalore 15 years ago and frequently changed jobs and places before  settling in Kodigehalli Layout. What drove them to take the extreme step is not known.

The police suspect financial problems and professional rivalry as the possible cause.
While no poisonous substance or suicide note was found in the family’s residence, the door, however, was latched from inside, he added.

House owner Ranadheer grew suspicious as the couple did not step out even after 9 am and foul smell was emanating from the house. Peeking through the window he saw one of the girls lying on the floor.

He later noticed the other bodies too lying on the floor. He broke open the door and alerted the police.

According to the police, the couple, who sold food in auto rickshaws on ITPL road, had a running rivalry with Manjunath and Rathnamma, also in the same business.

Both families were not in good terms and quarrelled frequently. Following a tiff in October last year, both families had lodged complaint and countercomplaint against each other with Mahadevapura police.

Nagesh was sent to Central Prisons, Parappana Agrahara, in an assault case and was released later, the police said.

Girjiamma’s sister Sridevi claimed the couple were happily married and her sister had complained that a few food vendors in auto rickshaws were harassing them.
The police though said Nagesh had availed loans from various sources and was finding it difficult to repay.

Two more suicides

Binesh, 25, a native of Kerala, allegedly hanged himself in Kottigepalya in Kamakshipalya on Thursday night. He was working with a travel agency and staying with a friend at a rented house.

He was addicted to alcohol and had borrowed around Rs 80,000 from various sources. He allegedly hanged himself from the branch of a tree near his office, the police said.

In another incident in MCHS Layout, on Thursday night, Nagaraj, 39, allegedly ended his life by consuming alcohol laced with poison.A native of Andhra Pradesh, he was a car driver. The victim’s wife and children live in Andhra Pradesh, the police said.