Patna: A harrowing case of alleged domestic abuse has come to light in Barh, near Patna, where an elderly couple reportedly attempted suicide by jumping into the swollen Ganga river, unable to endure continued mistreatment at the hands of their son. The wife, Malti Devi, was swept away by the strong current, while her husband, Dheeraj Chaudhary, was rescued by locals.
The incident occurred at Alakhnath Ghat in the Barh police station area. According to eyewitnesses, the couple had been seen drifting in the river when bystanders rushed to save them. While Chaudhary was pulled to safety, his wife could not be located.
Chaudhary, a resident of Pawapuri in Nalanda district, later told police that he and his wife had been wandering without food for four days. “My son used to beat us and didn’t give us food,” he said. “We left home four days ago and came to Barh, hungry and broken. We had no choice left.”
He alleged that his elder son had not only assaulted him in the past — even breaking his hands and legs — but had also sold off his land. His younger son, he said, suffers from mental illness.
Locals informed emergency services, and police from Dial 112 took Chaudhary into custody for further assistance and protection.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether a formal complaint has been filed against the son. A search operation was underway for Malti Devi at the time of reporting.
