Karnataka: Woman smothers mother over astrologer’s claim, police suspect financial dispute
Tumakuru (Karnataka) (PTI): A 33-year-old woman allegedly smothered her mother with a pillow while she was asleep and attempted to pass it off as a natural death after being influenced by an astrologer's claims, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Anupanahalli village of Tumakuru taluk, but came to light only on Thursday after villagers alerted the authorities, they said.
The deceased has been identified as Pushpavathi (55). The accused, Suchitra (33), was residing with her husband in the Srinagar area of Tumakuru city.
According to police, Suchitra’s father had died about one-and-a-half years ago due to health ailments. However, she had reportedly consulted an astrologer online, who allegedly told her during a ritual reading that her mother had performed black magic, leading to her father’s death.
During interrogation, Suchitra confessed to killing her mother after allegedly being influenced by the astrologer’s claims.
She smothered her mother with a pillow while she was sleeping, resulting in her death, a senior police officer said.
The crime was committed in the presence of her husband, who was allegedly guiding her, he said.
The officer, however, said they suspect the motive could also involve a financial dispute, which is being investigated.
After the death, the accused allegedly attempted to pass the death off as natural and tried to rush the funeral rites, police said.
However, villagers grew suspicious over the condition of the body and the circumstances surrounding the death and alerted the authorities.
"A case of murder has been registered at Kyathasandra police station. Both Suchitra and her husband have been arrested in connection with the incident," the officer added.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
