A tragic incident of murder and suicide has shaken a family in south Bengaluru, highlighting the severe emotional toll of long-term caregiving. A retired bus driver, unable to bear his wife's deteriorating health, ended her life before taking his own.
A Desperate Act Driven by Distress
On the morning of December 2, a grim scene unfolded at a residence in Chikkagowdanapalya, south Bengaluru. Venkatesan R, a 65-year-old retired driver from the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), allegedly strangled his 60-year-old wife, Baby M, who was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He then used the same nylon rope to end his own life by hanging.
According to police sources, Venkatesan was profoundly disturbed by his wife's health condition. Their 39-year-old son, Arun Kumar V, informed the authorities that his father had repeatedly expressed his despair over the past two years. Venkatesan had often threatened to kill his ailing wife and then die by suicide.
The Fateful Day's Events
The sequence of events on that Saturday points to a premeditated act. Venkatesan was supposed to pick up his grandson from school. However, around 11:45 am, he called his daughter-in-law, who works as a cook, and asked her to bring the child home instead.
When the daughter-in-law returned home with her son at 12:45 pm, she was met with the horrifying sight. She found Venkatesan hanging, and her mother-in-law, Baby M, dead on her wheelchair with clear marks on her neck. The police confirmed that no suicide note was left behind by Venkatesan.
A History of Caregiving and Despair
The background to this tragedy adds context to the extreme step. Venkatesan's wife became paralyzed five years ago, coinciding with the year of his retirement. Her condition had left her unable to speak and completely dependent on a wheelchair for mobility.
Family members stated that Venkatesan regularly argued with them, expressing his anguish over being unable to see his wife suffer in that condition. The burden of being a full-time caregiver, combined with his own transition into retirement, appears to have created an unbearable situation for him.
The Subramanyapura police station has registered a case and is investigating further. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the mental health challenges faced by caregivers and the elderly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or needs emotional support, please reach out for help. You can contact suicide-prevention helplines such as Arogya Vani at 104 or the Sahay Helpline at 080-25497777.
