Man consumes poison after killing wife; critical

Lucknow: A 46-year-old woman was allegedly hacked to death by her husband following a domestic dispute at their home in Maal area on Monday.The accused, Jitendra Pratap Singh, allegedly consumed poison after the attack and is battling for life, police said.The incident occurred in Ramnagar Azadnagar village and came to light when the couple’s sons returned home to find their mother, Monika Singh, lying in a pool of blood.Police said the couple was alone at home at the time. Jitendra’s father, a retired police sub-inspector, had gone to the market, while the couple’s sons were out for official work. Investigators suspect an argument between the couple escalated, following which Jitendra attacked his wife multiple times with a sharp-edged weapon, believed to be a cleaver, causing fatal injuries.After the assault, Jitendra allegedly went to a nearby market, consumed poison and returned home, where he locked himself in a room. His condition deteriorated soon after.The crime was discovered when one of the sons went inside the house and found his mother’s body. He alerted family members and neighbours, who informed police.Both Monika and Jitendra were rushed to hospital. Doctors declared Monika dead on arrival, while Jitendra was shifted to a trauma centre in critical condition.