Girl dies, couple critical in suicide bid

Bangalore Karnataka 28/01/2014 : The couples Siddalingaswamy and Manjula who allegedly tried to commit suicide, now in hospital, when their child died.
 photo by email handout

An autorickshaw driver and his wife are battling for lives in a hospital, after they allegedly consumed poison in what is being described as a suicide pact. Their eight-month-old daughter Harshini was found dead by their side.

Alerted by the foul smell emanating from the house at Kaveripura in Kamakshipalya police station limits on Monday, neighbours called in the police, who broke open the doors only to find the decomposed body of the child. The couple, Siddalinga Swamy (35) and his wife Manjula (30), were found unconscious.

Investigators suspect that the couple could have attempted to end their lives by taking poison. They were, however, unable to zero in on any reason for the couple to take the drastic step. Police are also investigating whether the child was administered poison.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that Hamsini, the elder daughter of the couple, died on January 6 this year. Police are trying to verify whether the girl’s death drove them to suicide.

The couple hails from Mysore.

Police have registered a case of murder and attempt to suicide against them.