Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jan 28: A couple living at Mugeradka in Mogru village in the taluk near Uppinangady consumed poison together in a bid to end their lives. While the husband, Mohandas Gowda (28), died thereafter, his wife, Laxmi (26) is in serious condition. The incident occurred on Friday January 27 afternoon.

Mohandas was the son of the late Nemanna Gowda, resident of Parari House in Mugeradka. Mohandas had married Laxmi three years ago, and the husband-wife duo appeared to be living a happy life with mutual understanding. Reportedly, Mohandas had borrowed heavily on account of financial crisis, and was finding it impossible to repay the loans.

It is said that Laxmi, overwhelmed by the burden of borrowings and worried over inability to repay them, consumed poison at her home on Friday afternoon. Mohandas who saw this, snatched the bottle containing poisonous substance from her hand, and consumed the content. Both fell seriously ill thereafter. Family members took both of them to hospital but Mohandas succumbed on the way. Laxmi was admitted into a private hospital at Mangaluru in serious condition.

Reportedly, the deceased had raised loan from a private finance firm, and was finding it impossible to repay it. Owner of the finance firm used to pester him to repay the loan, and the couple tried to commit suicide, having been frustrated over harassment by the partners of the said finance firm, said Kamala, mother of Mohandas, in a complaint filed with Uppinangady police station. Station house officer, Ratan Kumar, and other police personnel are awaiting improvement in the condition of Laxmi, who is under treatment, to get to know from her whether there were other reasons for the suicide bid.