Debt drives father to kill six-year-old daughter

A shocking incident allegedly triggered by mounting debt came to light in Ernakulam district, where a man poisoned his six-year-old daughter before taking his own life, leaving the neighbourhood stunned and grief-stricken.
The deceased has been identified as Bhavishankar, aged 33, a native of the Cherthala area in Alappuzha district.
He had been living with his family in a rented house at Panavalli near Bonekkara in the Elamakkara area of Ernakulam district. Bhavishankar was employed at a shop in Ernakulam but had reportedly been staying at home without work for some time.
His wife, Snasha, aged 28, works at a shop in a commercial complex near Edappally. Their daughter Vasuki, aged six, was studying in Class I.
On the day of the incident, Snasha went to work as usual and returned home around 11 pm. To her shock, she found the house locked from
inside.
Despite repeatedly knocking on the door, there was no response. Attempts to contact her husband over the phone also failed.
Alarmed by the situation, Snasha informed relatives, following which the Elamakkara police were alerted. Police rushed to the spot, broke open the door and entered the house.
Inside, they found Vasuki lying dead in the bedroom, while Bhavishankar was found hanging from an electric fan.
Police recovered the bodies and sent them to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery for post-mortem
examination.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Bhavishankar had allegedly poisoned his daughter before committing suicide by hanging.
Police sources said the extreme step was taken due to severe financial distress and mounting debts. A case has been registered and further investigation is
underway.
The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area, with neighbours and residents expressing shock and sorrow over the death of the young child and her
father.