Failure to meet doc drove mentally ill mother to desperation, kill 3 girls

A woman who had killed her three daughters before attempting suicide in south Delhi on Monday did so in a fit of rage as she was unable to meet a doctor at a government hospital despite waiting in a long queue earlier in the day, Deccan Herald learnt on Tuesday.

Radha Devi is out of danger and has been referred to the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Dilshad Garden for a report on her mental health.

She has been booked for the triple murders but has not yet been arrested yet.
Radha’s eldest daughter 10-year-old Barsha was lucky as she was in school at the time her mother took her three sisters to a forested area in Sangam Vihar to kill them before an unsuccessful attempt to hang herself from a tree.

Barsha is yet to learn about the tragedy and is currently in her uncle’s custody.
Radha had been suffering from severe psychiatric illness for several months and would regularly visit the ESI Hospital in Okhla for treatment.

“She had waited with her children and husband at the hospital’s out-patient department for many hours on Monday, but could not meet the doctor because of a long queue. She could not also obtain her quota of medicines,” said a police officer who spoke at length with Radha on Tuesday.

The failure to obtain medicines had left her very angry and was instrumental in driving her to desperation, the officer added.

The mental illness had left the family very disturbed, but her husband Raju Singh, a tailor, had rose to the occasion, Radha told police.

“She would suffer bouts of fits and would frequently lose her temper. Due to her illness, it was her husband who would mostly cook food for the family,” said the officer, quoting Radha’s brother Rajbeer.

Couple loved victims
Unlike what was initially suspected, Radha and her neighbours told police that the couple deeply loved their four daughters.

“Raju would himself bathe and feed his two youngest daughters,” said the family’s landowner Kisna Devi.

Police too said Raju was not involved on abetting her suicide attempt in any way.
The couple and their three daughters were returning home after the visit to the hospital on Monday evening when Radha suddenly asked the auto driver to head towards a forested area behind Batra Hospital.

“Following the auto on a bicycle, her husband remained ignorant about her sudden decision till he reached home. His calls to Radha were not received for long and then she called him to inform about her intention,” said Pappu, a neighbour who had gone on a search operation.

Victims Chhoti, Channa and Anandi had already died by the time the team traced them.
Radha was found beside them with a saree wound around her neck but still breathing.
“She has been very regretful of her action,” the officer said.