Patna: A heart-rending tragedy struck Naya Bhojpur village in Buxar district on Tuesday when a woman and her two children died after allegedly consuming pesticide. The incident reportedly followed an argument with her husband over buying a mobile phone.
According to police, 30-year-old Savita Devi, wife of Sunil Kumar, a daily-wage mason, ingested pesticide at around 1 p.m. and gave it to her three children as well. Family members rushed them to Dumraon Sub-Divisional Hospital, from where they were referred to Buxar Sadar Hospital due to their critical condition.
Doctors confirmed that Savita Devi, her five-year-old daughter Jyoti, and three-year-old son Akash died during treatment. The youngest child, 12-month-old Vikas, remains in critical condition and has been referred to PMCH, Patna.
Her husband, Sunil Kumar, told reporters that Savita had been asking for a mobile phone for several days. “When I refused to buy one on Tuesday, she got angry and took this extreme step,” he said. He also revealed that this was his third marriage, and that his first two wives had already died. Jyoti, the eldest child who also perished, was from his first marriage.
Dr Saraswati Chandra Mishra of Buxar Sadar Hospital confirmed that the deaths were caused by pesticide ingestion. “Initial medical examination clearly shows symptoms of organophosphate poisoning,” the doctor said.
Following the incident, Station House Officer Manoj Kumar Singh visited the hospital and initiated an investigation. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem.
The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over Naya Bhojpur village. Locals expressed disbelief that a disagreement over something as small as a mobile phone could end three lives. “No one imagined such a small quarrel could lead to this,” said one neighbour, fighting back tears.
