Unable to repay debts, a weaver and his wife allegedly killed their two children and committed suicide. The incident was reported in Weavers Colony, off Bannerghatta Road in Hulimavu police station limits on Tuesday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Manjunath, 39, his wife Sathyavathi, 35, their son, Prithviraj, 12, and seven-year-old daughter Rishika.
Manjunath worked at a handloom unit in Weavers Colony, while his wife worked at a garment factory in Hulimavu. Prithviraj was a sixth standard student at Holy Spirit School and Rishika was a second standard student at the same school.
According to the police, the family used to stay with Manjunath’s parents Shivaiah and Lalithamma. Some years ago, Manjunath had borrowed Rs 2 lakh to run a handloom unit at his residence. However, he suffered losses and money lenders used to press him to repay the loans.
“On Monday evening, Manjunath’s parents had gone to another son Girish’s house in Cubbonpet. The same night Manjunath and his wife killed their children by strangling them and committed suicide using the same ropes.
The incident came to light on Tuesday morning when Nagaraj, a neighbour, peeped in through a window. He found the two children lying dead in the drawing room and the couple were hanging in their room.
Later, he informed us,” the police said.
“Manjunath has left behind a suicide note stating he was killing his children and taking the extreme step along with his wife as he was unable to repay the debts,” the police added. However, Shivaiah said, “Manjunath had to repay loans but it was not a huge amount. He could have repaid it. We cannot believe he killed his children and ended his life with Sathyavathi. The children were very studious and we were so fond of them.”
It is said that only Manjunath’s father Shivaiah had planned to go to Girish’s house, but Sathyavathi had forced Lalithamma also to accompany him.
“It seems that the couple had decided to kill their children and commit suicide,” the police added. The bodies were shifted to Victoria Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.