Family members attempt suicide after infant dies of pneumonia in Dhanbad

Shocked by the death of the child, all four members of the family attempted suicide in Pandey Barwa area under Barwadda police station in the district on Tuesday morning.

Family members of the victim identified as Tipan Mahto, his wife Dukhia Devi and daughters Geeta Devi and Sangeeta Devi were admitted to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) in critical condition.

They reportedly took the drastic step following the death of a three-month-old baby, son of elder daughter Geeta Devi, at Kolkata's Howrah railway station yesterday. The child was suffering from pneumonia. 

Neighbors found them lying unconscious when Tipan and his family members did not come out of the house in the morning. They immediately informed the police, who admitted them to the university medical hospital.

Dukhia Devi, who was being treated at the Medical College Hospital, told the media that they had gone to Kolkata to treat their grandson (Geeta Devi's daughter's son) but the child died when they reached Howrah railway station. All family members were distraught over the child's death. They arranged pesticide at night and ate everything this morning.

Barwada police station officer Bikram Singh said police were investigating the incident. The victim's family members will be interviewed after he recovers in hospital.