Dharwad: A 38-year-old woman and her eight-year-old daughter died after a suspected poisoning incident at Karadigudda village near Dharwad on Saturday. The woman allegedly gave poison to her three daughters before consuming it herself, according to preliminary information.
The woman, Savita Mallikarjun Kuragund, and her daughter Gadigevva Kuragund died while undergoing treatment at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital in Hubballi.
Savita’s other two daughters, six-year-old Bhagyashree and two-year-old Harsha, are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Financial difficulties suspected to have preceded incident
Preliminary information suggests that Savita had borrowed between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh from various organisations and private lenders.
She was reportedly facing difficulties repaying the loans and was allegedly worried about the social consequences of her financial problems. Investigators are examining whether the debt-related distress played a role in the incident.
However, the circumstances and motive have not yet been conclusively established.
Police launch investigation
Dharwad rural police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the incident. They are seeking to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances that led to the suspected poisoning.
The two surviving children remain under medical care at KIMS Hospital, where their condition has been reported as critical.
The incident has left the family facing a devastating loss, while the investigation continues.