Woman jumps into canal with 8-month-old daughter, rescued; infant dies

HASSAN: A woman attempted suicide by jumping into a canal along with her eight-month-old daughter near Mallappanahalli village of Holenarasipur taluk on Thursday. While the woman was rescued by locals, the child died.

Nayana, the mother.

Five years ago, Nayana from Aikanahalli village in K R Pet taluk in Mandya district, got married to Venkatesh from Baralu village in Channarayapatna taluk, Hassan district. The couple had two daughters, but Nayana was suffering from post-partum depression after the birth of her second child. She often screamed suddenly, quarrelled with neighbors and behaved differently.

Venkatesh, the husband.

“We had gone to her hometown for a festival, and she was happy. But the children suddenly fell ill and we had to return. I took our first child to Channarayapattana, and I dropped her and our second child at the bus stand and gave her Rs 2,000 to go to a hospital in Hassan. As soon as I consulted the doctor for my first child, I called her, but her cell phone was switched off. I informed the police about not being able to reach her. The Holenarasipur police later informed me to come to the hospital. When I reached there, I got to know about her attempt to commit suicide and the child’s death, “said Venkatesh, the husband.

The canal near Mallappanahalli village where Nayana attempted suicide.

“Nayana got down from the bus midway while travelling to Hassan. Near Mallappanahalli, she jumped into a canal. Villagers came to Nayana’s rescue after hearing her screams and tried to save the mother and child. But by then, the eight-month-old child had drowned and died. Nayana survived and is being treated in the ICU, ” Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar informed.

Hariram Shankar, Superintendent of police.

A case has been registered against the mother for the murder at Holenarsipur Rural police station.