Madurai: Apprehensive of getting infected by COVID, four members of a family entered into a suicide pact by consuming poison, that left two dead and two others hospitalized at Kalmedu here on Sunday.
Police sources said V.Jothika (23) and her son V.Rithish (3) were found dead in their house this morning, her mother N.Lakshmi (46) and younger brother N.Sibiraj (13) were rushed to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), where they were battling for their lives.
Initial investigations revealed that Lakshmi’s husband Nagarajan and their younger daughter Anitha died due to some ailments in the last one year.
Meanwhile, Jothika had been suffering from cold and fever. She had undergone an RT-PCR test and the result came positive.
The family members were depressed that the COVID infection might affect their health and also their living conditions, as the family was already reeling under huge financial constraints.
Neighbours also claimed that the cause of suicide pact of the family was due to the COVID infection.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the family was depressed over the Corona virus infection and took the extreme step. "We are also probing all other possible angles," police sources added.
Silaiman police have registered a case and are investigating. (UNI)