Patna Police Intensify Search for Accused in Alleged Poisoning Death of Woman and Daughters
In a tragic incident that has shocked the Nalanda district, police are actively pursuing the arrest of six individuals accused in the alleged poisoning of a 28-year-old woman and her two minor daughters. The victims, identified as Kavita Devi and her daughters Sapna Kumari (5) and Gunjan Kumari (1), were admitted to a hospital on Tuesday and succumbed during treatment late that night, according to police statements on Wednesday.
Family Alleges Years of Harassment Over Male Child Demand
Sadar SDPO-II Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal revealed that the victim's family has presented disturbing allegations of sustained harassment. The family claims Kavita faced years of pressure and mistreatment from her in-laws specifically because she had not given birth to a son. "The family claimed that Kavita and her daughters were fed food laced with poison, which led to their deaths," Jaiswal stated, outlining the grave nature of the accusations.
Kavita, originally from Vaswan Bigha village under the Biharsharift police station area, was married in 2015 to Pintu Yadav of Jagnandanpur village under Rahui police station jurisdiction. Notably, Pintu is currently working as a laborer in Hyderabad, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.
Disturbing Details Emerge from Family Testimonies
Kavita's father, Ramanand Yadav, provided harrowing details of the events. He reported receiving information on Tuesday morning about his daughter and granddaughters' hospitalization. "When I reached there, I noticed injuries suggesting a struggle. Her hair appeared to have been pulled, and two fingers on her hand were cut and bandaged," he recounted, indicating possible physical altercations prior to the poisoning.
Ramanand further alleged that the in-laws abandoned the three at a private hospital and fled the scene. "I shifted them to Pawapuri Medical College and Hospital, where all three died during treatment," he said, emphasizing that Kavita had repeatedly voiced complaints about harassment and threats related to her failure to produce a male heir.
Allegations of Deliberate Starvation and Isolation
The family's allegations paint a picture of systematic abuse in the days leading to the tragedy. Ramanand claimed that for four days prior to the incident, Kavita and her daughters were deliberately denied food and water, with the room containing their rations and utensils reportedly locked to prevent access.
Kavita's brother, Piyush Kumar, shared that his last communication with his sister occurred on Friday. "She said she had been isolated and denied food. She planned to come to our house on Tuesday, but after that there was no contact," he revealed. Piyush further alleged that Kavita's husband was making plans to remarry, suggesting a possible motive behind the alleged crime.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Rahui SHO Lalit Vijay confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been officially registered against six named individuals, including Kavita's husband, Pintu Yadav. "The family has alleged that Pintu was the main conspirator. Raids are being conducted to arrest the accused, and further investigation is underway," Vijay stated, underscoring the active status of the police operation.
The case has drawn attention to persistent issues of gender-based violence and the tragic consequences of son preference in certain communities. Police authorities have assured that all aspects of the case are being thoroughly examined, with efforts focused on apprehending the accused and delivering justice for the victims.
