Daltonganj, July 10: A domestic dispute allegedly ended in a horrific tragedy in Jharkhand’s Palamu district after a 27 year old woman allegedly threw her two minor daughters into a well before jumping in herself. The two children drowned, while the woman was rescued by villagers and later arrested, police said on Thursday.
The incident took place around 9 pm on Wednesday in Kanda village under the Nawa Bazar police station limits. The accused identified as Sarita Devi, is the wife of local labourer Chhote Lal Prajapati.
According to police, an argument broke out between the couple on Wednesday night following which Sarita allegedly snatched her two and a half year old daughter, Dolly, from her grandmother’s lap while the child was asleep and threw her into a nearby well. She allegedly then picked up her four year old daughter, Priya, and threw her into the same well.
Police said Sarita also allegedly attempted to throw her eldest daughter, aged around six to seven years, into the well. However, the child resisted, screamed for help and managed to escape.
Sarita then jumped into the well. Villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the child’s cries and rescued the woman, but the two younger girls could not be saved. Police said the well contained nearly 14 feet of water, resulting in the children’s death by drowning.
Nawa Bazar Police Station Officer in Charge Sanjay Yadav said there had been a quarrel between Chhote Lal Prajapati and his wife on Wednesday night.
“Sarita allegedly first threw her two and a half year old daughter Dolly into the well and then threw her four year old daughter Priya into the same well,” Yadav said.
He added that the accused “attempted to throw her eldest daughter into the well, but the child resisted and raised an alarm.”
“The well contained around 14 feet of water, and the two children died due to drowning,” the officer said.
The victims’ grandfather lodged an FIR at the Nawa Bazar police station. Sarita Devi was arrested and produced before a court before being remanded to judicial custody.
Post-mortem examinations of the two deceased children were conducted at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital. Police said an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident.
“An FIR has been registered, the accused has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. The investigation is underway,” Yadav said.
