Vijayawada: An elderly couple who apparently felt they were a burden on their children committed suicide by consuming pesticide at a hospital in the city on Wednesday.
According to the police, M. Nagarani, 65, who suffered a second paralytic stroke, was admitted to a private hospital last week by her children. Her husband, M. Ramakrishna, 68, had also suffered a paralytic stroke six months ago. The hospital authorities told Nagarani and her family on Tuesday night that she would be discharged on Wednesday.
There is no indication that the couple had financial problems, but Ramakrishna was a very sensitive person, members of his family said. The couple had three sons, all married and well settled, and family members said that the couple didn't want to be a burden on their sons and so have taken the extreme step.
On Wednesday morning, hospital staff had to forcibly open the locked door to Nagarani’s room and found the couple unconscious. They died without regaining consciousness. They had left a suicide note stating that no one was responsible for their suicide and they have taken the extreme step as both of them are suffering from paralysis.
In the heart-rending note, Ramakrishna also said that there was '8,000 in his pocket to be used for the couple's last rites.
"My father is a very sensitive person and he likes to always be alone. He is an introvert and never expresses anything. He never discusses anything openly and takes decisions very fast. My mother got paralysis four years ago and our father used to look after her. Six months ago he too had a paralysis stroke and was unable to look after my mother.
Dad must have felt we are burdened: Son
“Maybe my father thought that looking after them is a burden on us and have taken this hasty decision,” Ramakrishna's elder son, M. Rajesh told Deccan Chronicle.
Ramakrishna comes from Relangi in West Godavari district, studied in Gudiwada and had settled down in Machilipatnam. He along with his wife had shifted to Vijayawada to stay with his son a few years ago.
“Maybe they felt that nobody in the family was in a position to look after them. All the three sons are married and settled. They have been visiting the hospital daily,” said Circle Inspector K. Vinaymohan.
