Woman attempts suicide after poisoning her 2-year-old; police takes her into custody

Marayoor: Police have taken  a 34-year-old woman into custody from Idukki’s Kanthalloor for attempting to commit suicide after poisoning her son. The incident took place on Tuesday morning at Chambakkad tribal colony near Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. S. Selvi, the accused, was taken into police custody and her 2-year-old son Neeraj was rushed to a nearby hospital. 

Selvi’s husband, Shaji, who is a temporary worker at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, frequently consumes alcohol and creates ruckus, says the accused. Recently, he sold the LPG cylinder fixed at their house to buy liquor and initiated arguments. Selvi, who was furious with his behaviour reported this matter to the Marayoor Police Station. Based on her complaint, Shaji was summoned by the officers; he was given a warning and sent back. 

He returned home drunk on Tuesday morning and started making a ruckus again. Fearing that her son would grow up into a man like his father, the accused mixed furadan insecticide with rice and fed her son. While the accused was committing this crime, her three daughters were also present in the house.  

Nearby residents who came to their house after receiving the pungent smell of this insecticide found the sobbing woman near her unwell son, Neeraj. When they enquired, Selvi revealed that she intended to consume poison after killing her son. 

The residents rushed Neeraj to a hospital with the help of the Marayoor Extension Tribal Office. An ambulance reached the location and took the  2-year-old boy. Tribal Office staff swiftly informed the Marayoor police of this news.

 After giving the first aid, the boy was shifted to a private hospital in Marayoor. Doctors have revealed that the boy is currently in the 24-hour observation stage. 

 Accused Selvi was taken into custody by a Marayoor police team led by Inspector T. R. Jiju. They found poisoned rice and a bottle in which this poison was stored at the location. Selvi will be presented in front of the Devikulam Magistrate Court on Thursday. 

(Attention: Suicide is not a solution to any problem. Those struggling with mental health issues should seek help from professionals. The 'Disha' helpline provides free counselling and support services. Dial toll-free helpline number: 1056 or 0471-2552056)