Karnataka: Man strangulates wife, children, hangs self

BENGALURU: A 36-year-old man strangulated his wife and two minor children to death and committed suicide at his residence in Maligundanahalli in Kumbalgodu police station limits on the city’s outskirts.   Police along with experts and sniffer squad visited the spot and shifted the bodies to government hospital for post mortem. Police said that Sathish, who was working as a coolie in city market was found hanging from the ceiling of his house. Before committing suicide, he first strangulated his wife, Manjula, 23, with the help of towel and then killed his son Vijay (5) and daughter Shreya (3) in the same manner.

Investigation revealed that Sathish hailed from Tamil Nadu and had married Manjula around seven years ago. Family members alleged that he was an alcoholic and their marriage was going through a rough phase for the past four years.  

“The incident came to light on Thursday morning around 9 am when Manjula’s sister Nagarathna, who lives in the same locality along with her mother Sharadamma, went to check on them. On Wednesday night, Sathish and Manjula along with their children had gone to Sharadamma’s house for dinner and returned home around 11.30 pm. On Thursday morning, when Nagarathana didn’t hear from her sister, she went to check. She found the door locked from inside. When there was no response despite repeated knocks, Nagarathana peeped through the window and saw Sathish’s body hanging from the ceiling. She raised an alarm and police was informed. They broke open the door and found them dead in the house,” said an investigating officer.

During investigation, Manjula’s family members told police that the couple used to frequently quarrel and Sathish used to beat Manjula. After getting drunk Sathish used to accuse Manjula of having illicit relationships, added the police. Kumbalgodu police have taken up the case and begun investigation. The police are also waiting to record the statements of Sathish’s parents, who live in Maddur.