Woman, parents end lives after smothering daughter

A woman killed herself after smothering her six-year-old daughter and offering sleeping pills to her parents, in a mass suicide triggered by financial loss.

Sudharani (27) plotted the murder-suicide after she lost her life savings of Rs 25 lakh given to a realtor to buy a house. The realtor died in an accident and Sudharani couldn’t retrieve the amount.

The four decomposed bodies were found on Monday at their residence in Doddabommasandra in Vidyaranyapura. Police suspect the incident happened on Saturday.

The incident came to light after house owner Panchalaiah alerted police following foul smell emanating from the ground floor of the building.

The other deceased are Sudharani’s father Janardhan (52), a driver, mother Sumithra (45), and her daughter Sonica (6).  

A senior police officer said that a suicide note was recovered from the house which stated that Sudharani had given Rs 25 lakh to a realtor to buy property, but she lost the money after he died in an accident. Sudharani stated that she had sought financial help from friends and relatives, but none helped her, and hence, they finally decided to kill themselves. She had discussed the suicide pact with her parents.

Sudharani, a BPharm, was living with her husband Arjun, of Mathikere who runs a medical shop and also owns a clinic, hiring private counsellors.

On Saturday, after Arjun left for work, Sudharani reached her parents’ house as planned and gave them sleeping pills. She went back to her house and after dinner, returned to her parents’ house with daughter Sonica. She found her parents dead and then gagged Sonica to death, plastering a tape around her face.

She ended the note, saying she was going to kill herself and that if she failed in the bid or if anyone found her unconscious, they should kill her.

Apparently, Sudharani tried to hang herself, but couldn’t. She is suspected to have consumed sleeping pills.

The police registered a complaint filed by Sudharani’s husband Arjun. He told the police that he was not aware of the amount given to the realtor. He also said that his father-in-law Janardhan had taken a loan from private financiers.

Arjun said he had called his wife several times, but got no response. He said he didn’t panic then as he thought she was visiting her relative.

Police are waiting for the post-mortem report.