Two-year-old dies after father poisons kids in Madurai

MADURAI: A two-year-old girl child died after her father fed her and her elder brother with poison due to a family dispute. The incident took place in Madurai city on Monday night. The father too consumed poison and is undergoing treatment.
The deceased was identified as J Rithika from Ahimsapuram 8th Street in Sellur. G Jayachandran, a photographer was married to Abinaya.Jayachandran is running a studio in Sellur market area.
Police sources said that Jayachandran took loans from various people to run his business and family amid loss faced due to Covid-19 related lockdown. Abinaya was unhappy with taking loans and often fought with him. On Monday too, they had a fight. Abinaya left the children with Jayachandran and went to her paternal home.
Jayachandran tried to convince her and her family members. As she refused to return, a frustrated Jayachandran fed Rithika and son Sivanesan,4, with poison before consuming it. Neighbours found them lying in an unconscious state and rushed them to the Government Rajaji Hospital where Rithika died. On being alerted, a police team from the Sellur station rushed to the spot and conducted an inquiry.
Based on a complaint filed by Abinaya, a case was registered against Jayachandran under sections of 302 (punishment for murder) and 307 (attempt to murder).