6-year-old dies after mother attempts suicide over marital dispute

A six-year-old girl lost her life at the Government Rajaji Hospital on Saturday after her mother allegedly administered poison to her and her sibling before attempting to end her life at Keelakuyilkudi, near Nagamalai Pudukkottai.

According to the police, 29-year-old Shalini, mother of two and wife of Maheswaran, 35, had frequent quarrel with her husband over his alleged extramarital affair.

After a heated argument on Friday night, Maheswaran reportedly left home.

The following morning, neighbours alerted Maheswaran when the house remained locked for an unusually long time. Upon breaking into the house with relatives, they found Shalini and both daughters unconscious.

While all three were rushed to the hospital, the eldest daughter, aged six, died during treatment. The Nagamalai Pudukkottai police have registered a case and are investigating.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 and Speak2Us helpline at 9375493754.)

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