CHENNAI: It was the smell that reportedly alerted neighbours that something was amiss on Tuesday. Concerned, they broke down the doors of the Maduravoyal residence and found Habib Rahman and his two sons — both younger than six — dead. It is suspected that Rahman’s estrangement from his wife, Anusha, may have played a role in their death. Police said that the 38-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil, who had lived in Chennai for some years, worked for a catering unit. Two years ago his wife moved to Sri Lanka. Rahman had reportedly tried to reconcile with his wife but in vain.
“Rahman learnt that she had visited the city last week but did not meet him or the children. This upset him,” police sources said, adding that suicide was suspected. Probe revealed that neighbours had last seen Rahman and the boys on Sunday.
“On Tuesday, neighbours noticed a foul smell and broke the doors,” said a police source. They alerted police who sent the bodies to Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. The police have registered a case. If in distress or having suicidal thoughts, call the health department helpline at 104 or the Sneha suicide helpline at 044-24640050.