Couple kills kids, ends life

Hyderabad: Humiliated by a relative in public, a couple killed their two children and committed suicide at their house in Aryanagar at Shanthinagar, Lallaguda, on Wednesday night. The deceased were identified as C.M. Praveen Kumar, 33, his wife Swati, 27, and their two children Varshita, 5, and Akshay Krupa, 3. According to the police, the couple had frequent arguments with Anasuya, Praveen’s maternal aunt, over their children.

“Though they were relatives, there were frequent fights over the past few days. Even on Wednesday they argued. During the fight between Anasuya and the couple, Ms Anasuya picked up a slipper and beat up Swati in front of everyone. The couple felt humiliated by the incident. They were depressed and decided to end their lives,” said Lallaguda police station inspector, V. Srinivas Reddy .

“They killed their kids first and kept their bodies in the bedroom. Later, they hanged themselves from a hook on the ceiling. Though the couple died of hanging, we are yet to come to a conclusion on the cause of death of the kids. There were ligature marks and finger impressions on their necks. They might have also been choked to death. A post mortem examination report is awaited,” said Mr Srinivas Reddy.

The incident came to light on Thursday morning when the house owner noticed no one was opening the door. He saw Swati hanging from the window and informed the police. The suicide note named Ms Anasuya, her mother and three daughters and held them responsible. The police has registered a case under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC and has arrested the accused.

Praveen’s 60year old father, Mallesh, also held Ms Anasuya responsible and said, “He broke down and was humiliated when Swati was beaten. That forced him to take this extreme step.”