Bengaluru: Daughter-in-law harasses family, couple ends life

Bengaluru: Dejected over daughter-in-law's repeated threats to approach the police and lodge a harassment complaint against the entire family, an elderly couple committed suicide by consuming poison at their house in Bettadahalli in Madanayakanahalli police limits in Bengaluru Rural on Monday.

Two hours later, after hearing about the death of their parents, the couple's daughter and son too consumed poison at their house in Chandrappa Circle in Tavarekere police limits. The daughter died, while the son survived and was rushed to a hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. 

The police said that the couple – Venkanatanarasappa (80) and Thayamma – got their son Doddegowda (31) married to Vanaja, a resident of Dasegowda Palya in Kengeri Hobli, seven months ago. A few months later, the husband-wife relationship strained and the couple were involved in frequent brawls.

Vanaja left Doddegowda's house and started living with her parents. She had complained to the local police that domestic issues were the reason for the separation. The couple were counselled, and they started living together. Recently, Vanaja again left her husband's house and threatened both Doddegowda and the in-laws that she would lodge a harassment complaint against them.

Venkanatanarasappa and Thayamma were in distress following the events and had discussed it with their son Doddegowda and daughter Honnamma (51), who were staying in Chandrappa Circle. Unable to bear the pressure, the couple consumed poison around noon on Monday. 

Doddegowda and his sister Honnamma were informed about the incident at around 3 pm, and they too consumed poison. Both were rushed to a hospital, where Honnamma was declared brought dead and Doddegowda was admitted.

Bengaluru Rural SP Amit Singh told Deccan Chronicle that a case of unnatural death has been registered at the Madanayakanahalli police station. Based on the postmortem report and statements from their relatives, further investigation will be taken up. A case has also been registered at the Tavarekere police station.