Harassed By Son & Daughter-In-Law, Elderly Couple Ends Life In Odisha

In a tragic incident, a depressed elderly couple allegedly took their lives in Sambalpur on Wednesday. Both were rushed to the hospital, where the husband died on the same night while the wife succumbed today afternoon at VSS MCH, Burla.

The deceased Tankadhar Mahakud and his wife Brundabati, were residents of Jharamunda village under Burla police limits. Reportedly, the couple took the extreme step following harassment from their son and daughter-in-law.

Police have reportedly recovered a pesticide bottle from the spot and registered a case.

The incident came to light when the son and daughter-in-law of the duo returned from work and could not find the couple in house.

They have refuted the allegation of any harrasement to the elderly couple. “We had minor tension among us but have no idea why they would do like this,” said the deceased’s son.

It may be mentioned that the couple’s elder son also died by suicide a few months back.

“We searched for them for two days and were later informed about their death by the town IIC,” the daughter-in-law of the couple said.

“We have registered a case and further investigations are on. Preliminary probe suggests that they ended their lives due to family argument,” said Kamal Lochan Panda, Iinspector In-Charge, Burla Town Police Station.