Woman, 3 daughters end lives

Disabled son poisoned to death; domestic discord is said to have led to incident

 A woman and her three children committed suicide over a family issue at their house in Maradevanahalli village (Bellur hobli, Nagamangala taluk) of the district on Monday night.

The deceased have been identified as Meenakshamma (48), her daughters Yogashri (25), Padma (23) and Suchitra (21) . The women poisoned Meenakshamma’s son Manjegowda, 14, who was physically challenged, to death before hanging themselves.

According to sources, Meenakshamma’s elder daughter Yogashri alias Mouna, was married to Umesh of Kadaba village in Tumakuru district, two months ago. The marriage did not last long as Umesh was allegedly harassing Yogashri both mentally and physically, for even petty reasons. Yogashri learnt that Umesh had an affair with his sister-in-law Nalina. Upset over this, she is said to have told her mother Meenakshamma and sisters about the matter. Dejected over this, the family members are said to have taken the extreme step.

It is said that Meenakshamma’s husband Ramegowda had died due to cardiac arrest a few months ago. Both were said to be teachers and Meenakshamma was serving at the Government Higher Primary School, Nagathihalli.The village was shocked over the death of the whole family. The residents even staged a protest, blocking NH-75, demanding justice.

Death note

Meenakshamma has left a five-page death note. She wants her property to be transferred to Sri Sai Baba Anathashrama near Srirangapatna.

She has appealed for a mass funeral near the grave of her husband. She has requested the government to give her PF and other benefits to her sister Sudha and her job to one of her children. She has also sought stern punishment to Umesh and Nalina.Nagamangala DySP C N Janardhan, CPI Harish Babu and PSI Balu visited the spot. Bellur police have registered a case.