School teacher, three daughters end lives after killing disabled son

Mandya, Feb 24: Frustrated over domestic disorder a woman, said to be a school teacher, poisoned her disabled son to death before committing suicide along with her three daughters at their house in Maradevanahalli village in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district.

The deceased have been identified as Meenakshamma (48), her daughters Yogashri (25), Padma (23) and Suchitra (21). They poisoned Meenakshamma's son Manjegowda, 14, who was physically challenged, to death before hanging themselves.

According to sources, Meenakshamma's elder daughter Yogashri alias Mouna, was married to Umesh of Kadaba village in Tumakuru district, two months ago. The marriage did not last long as Umesh was allegedly harassing Yogashri both mentally and physically, for even petty reasons. Yogashri learnt that Umesh had an affair with his sister-in-law Nalina. Upset over this, she is said to have told her mother Meenakshamma and sisters about the matter. Dejected over this, the family members are said to have taken the extreme step.

It is said that Meenakshamma's husband Ramegowda had died due to cardiac arrest a few months ago. Both were said to be teachers and Meenakshamma was serving at the Government Higher Primary School, Nagathihalli.The village was shocked over the death of the whole family. The residents even staged a protest, blocking NH-75, demanding justice.

Meenakshamma has left a five-page death note. She wants her property to be transferred to Sri Sai Baba Anathashrama near Srirangapatna.

She has appealed for a mass funeral near the grave of her husband. She has requested the government to give her PF and other benefits to her sister Sudha and her job to one of her children. She has also sought stern punishment to Umesh and Nalina.Nagamangala DySP C N Janardhan, CPI Harish Babu and PSI Balu visited the spot. Bellur police have registered a case.