Homemaker, two kids die in suicide pact

A homemaker allegedly committed suicide, along with her two children, by jumping into a pond at Chokkasandra village near Hoskote on Saturday.

The deceased were identified as Sunandamma, 28, and her children Sharan, 8, and Sharanya, 4.
Domestic problems forced her to take the extreme step, said Nandagudi police.

Sunandamma hailed from Holagepura and was married to Muniyappa, a farmer from Chokkasandra, 10 years ago. Differences cropped up between them six months ago, after Muniyappa took to drinks. He allegedly subjected her to constant physical and mental abuse.
He allegedly demanded her to bring dowry.

Sunandamma found it difficult to manage the domestic affairs as her husband took away whatever little money she had saved, said the police. The couple had a heated debate on Saturday after Muniyappa returned home in an inebriated state.

He allegedly thrashed her and went away. Sunandamma went to the pond on the outskirts of the village, along with her two children, and the three jumped into it.

Bodies retrieved

A few neighbours grew suspicious as they did not find Sunandamma and her children for a long time. They immediately alerted her relatives who started searching for them. A passerby noticed Sharanya’s body and informed the police who retrieved all the three bodies with the help of the fire force.
In a complaint to the police, Sunandamma’s elder brother Thayappa alleged that his sister ended her life due to dowry harassment by Muniyappa. The police have launched a manhunt for him.