Boy dies, 3 of his family battling for life after eating food laced with ‘poison’

Bhopal: A 6-year-old boy died, and 3 members of his family were left battling for life after allegedly consuming food laced with poison following a domestic dispute in Satna district late Monday night, police said. The incident took place in Bandha village under Rampur Baghelan police station limits. According to police, Kundan Sharma lived in the village with his wife, Jyoti Sharma, and their 2 young sons. Police said the couple argued around 7 pm on Monday. Soon after the quarrel, the woman allegedly mixed a poisonous substance into the food prepared at home. The same meal was first served to the children and later consumed by the couple as well. Within a short time, all 4 family members started feeling unwell and collapsed inside the house. Their 3-year-old son, Abhishek Sharma, managed to step out of the house and reached a neighbour's place, crying and telling them that everyone at home was ill. Alarmed by the child's condition, neighbours rushed to the house and found Kundan Sharma, Jyoti Sharma, and their elder son, Akash Sharma (6), lying unconscious. With the help of villagers, the 4 were rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa for treatment. Doctors later declared Akash Sharma dead during treatment, while the condition of the couple and their younger son remains critical. Police began an investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the incident. Preliminary information suggests that the alleged poisoning followed a dispute between the husband and wife, though the exact reason is yet to be established. The incident comes days after a similar tragedy in Shahdol district, where a debt-ridden mobile phone trader allegedly poisoned his wife and teenage daughter before consuming the substance himself earlier this month. The daughter later died during treatment, while the wife survived and the man also succumbed, police said.