Naresh Kumar/Barnala
A 50-year-old man allegedly killed his wife with an axe before consuming a poisonous substance and dying at a hospital in Channanwal village of Barnala district on Friday, police said.
The deceased have been identified as Bhola Singh and his wife, Karamjit Kaur alias Kammo, both aged around 50. Police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
According to Mahal Kalan Station House Officer Kamaljit Kaur, Karamjit Kaur had gone to the fields around noon along with a fellow villager, Manjit Kaur, to collect fodder for their cattle, as she routinely did.
While Karamjit Kaur was cutting grass with a stick in a field, her husband, Bhola Singh, allegedly approached her from behind and attacked her several times with an axe he had brought with him. She died on the spot, the SHO said.After the alleged murder, Bhola Singh returned to the village and consumed a poisonous substance. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Barnala, where doctors declared him dead.
DSP Jaswinder Kaur, who reached the spot after receiving information about the incident, confirmed the deaths and said an investigation was underway to establish the reason behind the killing and the subsequent suicide.
Family circumstances under investigationThe couple had four children — three daughters and a son. Their eldest daughter is married, while the other children are pursuing their studies, according to information available.
Preliminary information suggests that Bhola Singh was allegedly addicted to drugs, which reportedly led to frequent disputes within the family. However, police have not yet established whether substance abuse or suspicion played any role in the incident.Bhola Singh, who worked as a daily-wage labourer to support his family, had married twice. He had a son from his firstmarriage who lives separately in the village. Karamjit Kaur reportedly reared livestock to help support the household. Further investigation is underway.
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Naresh Kumar/Barnala