A heart-wrenching incident of poisoning in Kanker district has left three children dead and their parents battling for life in hospital, triggering grief and disbelief across the PV-70 Shantinagar locality under Partapur police station limits. The horrific incident came to light on Saturday morning. According to preliminary reports, five members of the Bairagi family – including the mother, father, and their three children – allegedly consumed poison in a suicide attempt on Friday night. While all three children died on the spot, the parents were rushed in critical condition to the Civil Hospital in Pakhanjur, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Visuals emerging from the scene and hospital depict the gravity of the tragedy.

 

One heart-wrenching image shows the three children - identified as Varsha Bairagi (11), Deepti Bairagi (7), and Devaraj Bairagi (5) - lying lifeless on a floor mat, side-by-side. In separate hospital footage, the unconscious mother and father can be seen receiving emergency oxygen support and IV medication. Police officials from Partapur station, led by investigating officer Sub-Inspector (SI) P. Jangde, reached the scene immediately after receiving a distress call from local residents. “Initial evidence and witness statements suggest a strong possibility of deliberate poisoning,” confirmed SI Jangde, while adding that the exact motive is yet to be ascertained.

 

According to police, initial findings point to ongoing domestic discord as a likely trigger. “Neighbours stated that the couple frequently argued, and on the night of the incident, a particularly heated quarrel took place,” said another officer. “It appears the husband returned home with a bottle of cold drink, allegedly laced it with poison, and first gave it to the three children before he and his wife consumed it.” Supporting this theory, police recovered a half-empty cold drink bottle from the family’s kitchen area during the scene examination, which is now central to forensic analysis. Kitchen utensils and half-eaten food were also documented as part of evidence. Forensic teams have collected all samples for toxicology tests to determine the exact substance used in the poisoning. The bodies of the children were sent for post-mortem examination at Pakhanjur Civil Hospital, and a report is awaited. Police have registered a case under relevant sections and are continuing investigations under the supervision of senior officers.

 

A local journalist Rajkumar Dubey told The Hitavada that such incidents raise grave concerns about systemic neglect of vulnerable families. “This is not merely the grief of one household; it is a reminder to society and governance structures that economic security, mental health, and social support can no longer be postponed,” Dubey said. A pall of mourning has descended upon the village as local residents and relatives gathered near the family’s home. This tragedy echoes a similar incident in Kanker in 2022, where an entire family perished due to financial distress. The district administration has assured a thorough investigation and committed to providing necessary assistance to the surviving family members.