A man allegedly killed his wife and two children, by setting them on fire at Chikkamalapur village in Kollegal taluk on Sunday.
His mother allegedly helped him in the crime.
The deceased have been identified as Sangeetha (30) and her sons Madan (2) and Mahendra (1).
According to the police, Recha alias Mahadevaswamy had married Sangeetha, daughter of Krishna, after falling in love with her. Mahadevaswamy, a driver, is said to be alcoholic and used to abuse his wife.
He and his mother Sarojamma used to harass Sangeetha for dowry.
On Saturday night, Recha and Sarojamma allegedly poured kerosene over Sangeetha and her two children and set them on fire, when they were fast asleep. The trio succumbed to burns and the charred bodies were found in the morning.
As soon as Krishna, Sangeetha’s father, came to know about his daughter’s death, he lodged a complaint with the Hanur police, against Recha and Sarojamma.
Senior police officials visited the spot and arrested the two accused.
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