In a gruesome incident, a ruling Janata Dal (United) MLA in Bihar shot dead his wife and six-month-old daughter before killing himself here in the early hours of Friday.
Director-General of Police Anand Shanker said that while the reason behind the shooting by Abhay Singh, legislator from Jamui district, was yet to be ascertained, it appeared a case of marital discord.
Mr. Abhay Singh’s older daughter was with her grandmother in another room at the time of the incident, which occurred in the official residence of his father, Narendra Singh, who is Minister for Food and Civil Supplies.
Mr. Narendra Singh himself was found unconscious in his room and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
Gunshots were heard at the residence — which is very near the Governor’s House and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s official residence — at about 2.30 a.m, the police said.
The Assembly was adjourned for the day, with the House condoling Mr. Abhay Singh’s death.
“Shocking”
Mr. Kumar, who visited his residence to offer condolences, described the incident as “profoundly shocking,” adding “Abhay’s untimely death is a personal loss to me.” The bodies have been sent to the PMCH for post-mortem.