Coimbatore: Realtor, niece die after he poisons self, sister, daughter

Coimbatore: A 63-year-old realtor who could not repay his debts committed suicide after poisoning two persons including his sister in Coimbatore.

Police said Mani, a real estate businessman, had on Monday night administered a liquid poison laced with honey, claiming it as ‘Siddha medicine', to his sister Bhagyam and her daughter, Shanthi, before consuming it himself in an apparent suicide pact.

The trigger was a running feud between Mani of Neelikonampalayam, with his sister over repayment of a 's 4 lakh loan he had taken from her some years back, but had not returned the money yet.

Bhagyam, who with her daughter, had been staying with Mani, raised the issue again, resulting in a quarrel on Monday night, police said.

While Mani tried to assuage his sister's feelings saying he would repay the loan in couple of days, his sister and her daughter wanted him to buy medicines for their leg pain.

Police said making use of this situation, Mani had bought some poison, mixed it with honey and given it both of them first saying it was 'Siddha medicine', before partaking of it himself.

Trusting Mani, both the women had the poison mixed with honey, but within 15 minutes Bhagyam began to vomit, even as Mani and Shanthi fainted. Seeing both collapsing, Bhagyam rang up her near relative-neighbour.

Hearing of their shocking plight, neighbours rushed all the three persons to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). Despite continuous treatment Mani died within few minutes, Shanthi died around 12.30 am on Tuesday and Bhagyam is being treated in its ICU.

On information, Singanallur police rushed to the hospital, lodged a complaint and further investigations are on.