In Jharkhand, four of family attempt suicide after toddler dies

DHANBAD: Four members of a family attempted suicide after a fight over the death of a toddler due to prolonged illness on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
Those who attempted suicide have been identified as Teepan Mahto (45), his wife Dukhiya (40), their elder daughter Geeta (20), and younger daughter Sangeeta (18), residents of Pandey Barwa locality under Barwadda police station limits of Dhanbad district.They have been admitted to Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College (SNMMCH), Dhanbad, where they are stated to be out of danger.
Sources said the family members were disturbed over the medical expenses of Geeta’s five-month-old son, who was suffering from pneumonia since birth. Teepan and Dukhiya earn their livelihood as daily wagers.
Dukhiya said she got Geeta married to a Tundi-based youth. Perturbed over continuous torture by the in-laws and inadequate treatment of the child, Geeta returned to her parents’ house. The child died on the way when he was being taken to Kolkata for better treatment on Monday. This resulted in heated exchange between the family members and they consumed poison. The neighbours learnt about the mass suicide attempt on Tuesday morning and took them to SNMMCH, Dhanbad. where the doctors said they were out of danger.