Four of family found dead in canal near Bhalki, two rescued by locals

In a tragic incident near Marur village in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district, four members of a family ended their lives by jumping into the canal of the Karanja reservoir on Tuesday. Two others, however, survived the attempt.

The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Shivamurthy Maruti Banerjee of Mailur in Bidar and his three children, nine-year-old Srishant, seven-year-old Ritik and seven-month-old Rakesh.

Shivamurthy’s 42-year-old wife Ramabai and another son eight-year-old Srikanth were rescued by local residents.

According to the police, the family was reportedly in distress over mounting debts. This is suspected to have driven them to take the extreme step. A case has been registered at Dhannur Police Station.

District in-charge Minister Eshwar B. Khandre visited the spot on Tuesday and consoled the bereaved family members.

Calling it a deeply distressing incident in which an innocent father and three children lost their lives, Mr. Khandre said that it is fortunate that the mother and another child of theirs survived.

He directed officials to conduct a thorough probe into the reasons and circumstances leading to the incident, including possible abetment, and to take strict action against those responsible.

He assured that the government will extend appropriate compensation to the family.

Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivanand Pawadshetty also visited the site and supervised further investigation.

The bodies were shifted to the Bhalki Taluk Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies can call Arogya Sahayavani on Ph: 104 for help.)