A woman and her three children were found dead at Hire Hanchinal village under Kukanur Police limits in Koppal district on Monday night. The deceased were later identified as Yallamma Barakera (30), Akashata (7), Kavay (4) and Nagaraj (2).
While all the children were prima facie found murdered after being forcibly immersed in three different water tubs, Yallamma Barakera’s body was found hanging from the ceiling. The incident left the entire village and surrounding areas in shock.
According to the police, Yallamma Barakera killed her children by drowning them in the water-filled tubs before hanging herself to death from the ceiling.
Her relatives, however, said that her husband, Umesh Barakera (35), who is said to be addicted to alcohol, murdered all the four. Umesh Barakera has now been taken into police custody.
FIR
“We learnt that Umesh Barakera quarrelled with his wife and harassed her on a daily basis accusing her of having an extra-marital affair. After visiting the spot followed by preliminary interrogation of Umesh Barakera, his neighbours and relatives of the deceased, we feel Yallamma Barakera first killed her children before committing suicide. Following a complaint by Yallamma Barakera’s father, we have registered an FIR under Sections 306 [Abetment of suicide] and 498A [husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty], and investigation is on,” Renuka K. Sukumar, Superintendent of Police, Koppal district, told The Hindu over phone.
As per information provided by the police and Yallamma Barakera’s relatives and villagers, Yallamma Barakera, a native of Lakkundi village in Gadag district, was married to Umesh Barakera about 10 years ago.
The couple led a happy married life for the first four years before Umesh Barakera developed the habit of drinking.
His addiction slowly disturbed their family life as he began to harass his wife and children under the influence of alcohol on a daily basis.
Also, elders from both the families made efforts to bring about reconciliation between the couple.
( Those in distress or those having suicidal tendencies can call Arogya Sahayavani on Ph: 104 for help .)
