Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jun 26: An under-trial prisoner, who was facing the charges of murdering his wife, breathed his last on Saturday June 25 at the government hospital at Mangaluru. He has been identified as Annu alias Jayanand alias Dayanand Gowda (39), hailing from Kumeru in Kanarpa, Kadirudyavar in the taluk.

Dayanand, who was arrested by the police and was remanded to judicial custody, was lodged in the district prison at Mangaluru. Four days back, he complained of severe health complications, and was admitted into the prisoners section of government Wenlock Hospital there. He did not favourably respond to treatments, and lost his life on Saturday June 25 morning.

Dayanand was charged with murdering his wife, Kusumavathi (35) late night on May 6 this year with a sickle. Kusumavathi, who was sleeping in her house, was hit at her neck, head and hand by the accused. Dayanand was working in a Mumbai hotel for about 12 years before he returned to his native place and married Kusumavathi. Kusumavathi also gave birth to twins thereafter.

Dayanand was suffering from certain health problems, and he was always bothered by the suspicion that his disease had been contracted by his wife and children. Out of this fear, it is said, he had planned to murder his wife and children, before ending his own life. But the children had woken up to the loud wails let out by their mother when she was being murdered. Now, these two small children have been orphaned.