Two in-laws die as daughter in law poisons food

By Shashidhar Parajuli, Biratnagar, Dec 8: 77-year-old Indra Maya Rai died, while Bhakta Bahadur Rai, aged 70, of Singhadevi tole of Belbari Municipality-2 of Morang district, fell sick after eating food laced with poison by daughter in daughter-in-law.  Both are husband and wife in relation. 

The ill Bhakta Bahadur is currently undergoing treatment at the Nabil Medical College of Biratnagar. 

Locals rescued Bhakta Bahadur Rai after finding him unconscious in a creek near his home on Saturday afternoon. His wife, Indramaya Rai, was also found unconscious at home.

Both were taken to Nabil Medical College for treatment. 

DSP Hari Nandan Chaudhary of District Police Office, Morang, said that Indra Maya died in the course of treatment.

 The ill Bhakta Bahadur is still critical, according to the Hospital. 

According to the Police, the preliminary investigation shows that the food was laced with poison.  

Locals suspected the poison after witnessing the death of three chickens in the hen pen located at the incident site. 

Daughter-in-law, Sunita Karki, aged 32, has been arrested in suspension of inducing poison in food. 

Police said that the suspected Karki has stated mixing poison in food and burning the bottle in the fireplace. 

The bottle has been recovered in a burned state. 

The ascertained information about the nature of the poison and the reason for using it will be obtained only after receiving the report of post-mortem, forensic testing, and lab report. 

The incident was planned while the nephew, Prashan Rai, who lives with the elderly couple, was outside the house. Police suspect that the cause of the incident may be a family dispute.

Locals have demanded for a fair and thorough investigation of the incident and to bring the culprit to justice. 

Further investigation have been carried out under the leadership of the Police Inspector Rajeev Giri.