Bhopal: A 23-year-old man in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district hacked to death eight members, including two minors, of his family and later allegedly died by suicide, police said. The incident took place on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Police said that he was married last week on May 21 and was a person with mental health issues.
“He first attacked his wife (23) with an axe. Later, his mother (55), brother (35), sister-in-law (30), sister (16), nephew (5), two nieces (4) and one and a half years). He also attacked his uncle’s 10-year-old kid, but he ran away from there”, Chhindwara superintendent of police (SP) Manish Khatri said.
Police added that after killing his family members, he walked 50 metres to his uncles home, and attacked his 10-year-old nephew. But the child woke up and ran. “He ran away from the spot and narrated the incident to his family who then called the police.
A total of eight bodies were found lying on the floor in a pool of blood and the accused was found hanging from a branch of a tree about 150 metres from the house.
Senior police officers who arrived at incident spot said that they found no evidence of a scuffle, and preliminary investigations suggested that seven of the eight people were attacked when they were asleep.
{{/usCountry}}Senior police officers who arrived at incident spot said that they found no evidence of a scuffle, and preliminary investigations suggested that seven of the eight people were attacked when they were asleep.
{{/usCountry}}Police said the bodies have been sent for postmortem.
Chhindwara division inspector general of police Anil Kushwaha said the accused was seen roaming in the village carrying an axe for the past three to four days. “The uncle’s family informed that he was being treated for some mental illness and his brother was taking care of him. Only his brother knew about his illness. Police are investigating the matter.”
The woman father and the accused father-in-law, however, demanded a thorough probe into the incident claiming that the accused was on medication a year ago but now was healthy and behaving appropriately.
Chief minister Mohan Yadav has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Meanwhile, taking a dig at the state government the opposition Congress alleged unemployment as the reason behind the incident.
Responding to Congress’ allegations, Yadav said, “Congress shouldn’t politicise every matter...”
Congress state president Jitu Patwari, however, said, “It is easy to brand anyone mentally ill but the reality is that people are facing hardship due to poverty and unemployment. This matter should be probed to know the reason behind this extreme step.”
If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290