Couple commit suicide after argument over non-veg dinner during Navratras

BAREILLY: A couple — parents to three children — committed suicide after an argument over cooking chicken in dinner in Rajepur village under Mitauli block of Kheri district on Tuesday.

According to police, on Tuesday evening, the man came home inebriated and asked his wife to cook chicken for him, but when she refused, he entered the kitchen and started cooking chicken himself. An argument ensued between them and the wife consumed poison. Later, the husband realised his mistake and he, too, ended his life by consuming poison.

The bodies were handed over to their children after autopsy on Wednesday evening.

Anand Vihari Verma (50) was married to Phoolmati around 30 years ago and the couple had three children — two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Sheelu (26) lives in Sitapur district with her husband and both sons Ajit and Lalit are employed in other districts.

“According to Sheelu, she received a call from his father on Tuesday night informing her that her mother had committed suicide by consuming poison and he, too, was going to end his life. Sheelu immediately informed her uncle, who lives in the neighborhood, and asked him to see her father. She also rushed to the village along with her husband,” said police.

Sheelu’s uncle with the help of some neighbours rushed the couple to a hospital where doctor proclaimed Phoolmati dead upon arrival while Anand died during the course of treatment after his daughter Sheelu arrived at the hospital.

Station house officer (SHO) Mitauli police station Fateh Singh told TOI, “The couple used to stay alone at their house. According to their daughter, her mother used to keep fast throughout Navratras, and she got hurt when her father forcefully tried to cook chicken in the kitchen. Neighbours, however, said that the couple used to live like any normal husband-wife and they never heard them fighting. The neighbours were also shocked by the incident.”