Pics: Ramesh Pandith / Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Sep 23: In a shocking incident, a panchayat member, his wife and two children were found dead in their house at Manchi near Ira here on Wednesday September 23.

Padmanabh Nayak (48), a member of the gram panchayat, allegedly killed his wife Pushpavati (34) and daughters Pruthvi (9) and Poorvi (7) before committing suicide by hanging.

The incident came to light on Wednesday morning when his brother's wife, who lives in the neighbourhood, came to Padmanabh's house, it is said.

The bodies of the wife and children were badly wounded and lying in a pool of blood, and prima facie, it is suspected that Padmanabh chased and mercilessly hacked them to death with a sickle following a quarrel. 

Police sources said that there was marital discord between the couple, and Padmanabh was unhappy that his wife was not obedient. The fact that Padmanabh sent his mother, who was living with the family, to his brother's house a day earlier has given rise to suspicions.

Sources said that Padmanabh had undergone treatment for some mental condition some months ago, after which he recovered and was engaged in a stone crusher business which brought him good income. His wife Pushpavati was engaged in a self-help group of Dharmasthala. She was also a trustee of a temple.

A death note was found at the spot, in which Padmanabh reportedly said that he was taking the step of his own will. He also reportedly stated that he was leaving some insurance money for his mother and brother.

Bantwal rural police arrived at the spot and investigations are on.