Bihar Family Consumes Poison Over Mounting Debt; 1 Dead, Others In Critical Condition

The victims were initially taken to Amarpur Referral Hospital before being transferred to Mayaganj Hospital in Bhagalpur for advanced treatment.

A family in Bihar, overwhelmed by mounting debt, attempted suicide by consuming poison early Saturday morning, resulting in the death of the father and leaving four others in critical condition, according to police. 

The incident took place in the Banka district, where financial hardship and alleged harassment by bank agents over unpaid loans drove the family to take this tragic step.

According to a report by NDTV, police confirmed that Kanhaiya Mahato, the family head and an auto driver, had borrowed from multiple private banks to support his family. However, the relentless pressure to repay and the worsening financial situation became too much to bear.

"Father and mother said their reputation was ruined, and they couldn't live with the shame. They told us we would all go together," said 16-year-old Savita Kumari, the daughter of Kanhaiya.

At around 2:00 am, the family consumed sulphas tablets, commonly used as a pesticide. Eight-year-old Rakesh Kumar, the youngest child, survived after spitting out the tablet. The incident came to light when a relative, alarmed by a frantic call from a younger family member, informed Kanhaiya’s sister-in-law, Bina Devi, who rushed to their aid.

The victims were initially taken to Amarpur Referral Hospital before being transferred to Mayaganj Hospital in Bhagalpur for advanced treatment. However, Kanhaiya Mahato died on the way to Bhagalpur, while his wife, Geeta Devi, and their three children remain in critical condition.

Govt Employee Dies By Suicide In Karnataka

In a separate incident, a 35-year-old government employee, identified as Rudaranna Yadavanna, was found dead by suicide inside the Tehsildar’s office in Belagavi on Tuesday (November). Yadavanna, who served as a Second Division Assistant (SDA), was found hanging in the Tehsildar’s chamber, prompting a detailed investigation by police to uncover the circumstances leading up to his death.

A senior police official stated that their team was alerted when a body was discovered hanging in the office using a veil. Authorities are currently examining the root causes behind the death of Yadavanna, including allegations of workplace harassment or injustices, as per a report on PTI.