Bathinda (Punjab): A woman has been booked in Punjab’s Phulewala village in Bathinda district after the deaths of her two children within a span of 15 days triggered suspicions of foul play, police said.
According to officials, a nine-year-old girl died under suspicious circumstances about two weeks ago. The family performed her last rites at the time. On Friday night, her younger brother, identified as Fatehveer, also died, raising concerns among villagers who alleged that the children’s mother may have been involved.
Residents claimed the deaths were not natural and demanded a fair and impartial investigation. Allegations have surfaced that the woman, identified as Jassi Kaur, was involved in an extramarital relationship and that the children were allegedly seen as an obstacle. It has been alleged that the children were given rat poison, though police said the exact cause of death would be confirmed only after forensic examination.
Bathinda Superintendent of Police Jasmeet Singh said the recent death of the young boy shocked both the family and the village community. Preliminary inquiry suggested that the woman had alleged illicit relations in another village and suspicions arose after the two deaths occurred in close succession.
Police have registered a case against the mother and said others who may have been involved are also being questioned. Ram Pura Phul Deputy Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar said a post-mortem examination of the deceased boy would be conducted to determine the precise cause of death.
Authorities said further action would depend on the medical report and findings of the ongoing investigation.
