Siddarth Sethia
In a shocking incident reported from Alkere village in Kunigal taluk of Tumakuru district,a 40-year-old man allegedly killed his two minor children before dying by suicide, police said on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as Shivanna (40),an archaka (priest) at the Malleshwaraswamy temple and also an employee at a private company.
The incident is suspected to have occurred on Friday night and came to light on Saturday morning when neighbours noticed something was amiss and alerted authorities.
According to preliminary investigation,Shivanna allegedly smothered his children—Jeevan (10) and Pranesh (5)—to death before hanging himself.
Police sources indicate that domestic discord may have led to the tragic act.Shivanna’s wife was allegedly involved in an extramarital relationship, which had been a recurring cause of disputes between the couple.
About a week ago,she had reportedly left the house with another man,abandoning her husband and children.
Shivanna had filed a complaint at the Kunigal Police Station,following which she was brought back home after police intervention.
However,the very next day,she is said to have fled again, taking cash and gold ornaments from the house while Shivanna was at work.
Distressed by these developments,Shivanna is believed to have taken the extreme step.
Police from Kunigal station visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the village.
