A man and his wife died after allegedly consuming poison in a forested area under the Kundheigola police station limits of Deogarh district in Odisha on Sunday, police said.
The couple’s five-year-old son, who was found alone in the forest, has been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital amid suspicion that he may also have been administered poison.
The deceased have been identified as Dushmant Majhi and his wife Rinki. Their minor son is currently undergoing treatment, and doctors said his condition is being closely monitored.
Incident unfolded during return journey
According to preliminary information, the couple was returning on a motorcycle from Rinki’s parental home along with their child when they reportedly stopped inside a forest area within the jurisdiction of Kundheigola police station.
Police sources said the couple allegedly consumed poison at the spot. It is suspected that the child was also given poison, prompting doctors at the local hospital to refer him to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced care.
Child spent night beside unconscious parents
In a deeply distressing turn of events, police said the five-year-old boy remained beside his unconscious parents inside the forest throughout the night. At daybreak, the child reportedly walked towards a nearby road and informed passers-by about his parents lying motionless in the forest.
Local residents immediately alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and shifted all three to a nearby hospital.
Couple declared dead, probe continues
Doctors declared Dushmant Majhi dead on arrival, while Rinki succumbed to her condition later during treatment. Following post-mortem examinations, Dushmant’s body was taken to his native village, Jayantapali, on Sunday evening. Rinki’s body was sent for post-mortem examination at Angul district headquarters hospital, with arrangements made to send it to her native place.
Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the alleged suicide. Meanwhile, villagers and relatives have been praying for the recovery of the child, whose survival has been described by many as a miracle amid the tragedy.