Udupi: The mystery behind the death of Sujatha and her daughter Krithika deepened as the family members of the woman claimed that it was an apparent murder. It was widely circulated in the media that Sujatha had committed suicide after pushing her daughter into a well on the morning of August 2. However, the family members of Sujatha claimed that it was a pre-planned murder by her husband’s family.
Speaking to media at the Udupi Press Club, Chief Convener of Dalitha Sangarsha Samiti Padubidri Lokesh Anchan spoke on behalf of the family of Sujatha, raising suspicions about the circumstances in which the bodies of the mother-daughter duo were found.
About 14 years ago, Sujatha married Sudhakar, a resident of Gerukatter, Mulki. After eight years of her marriage, Sujatha gave birth to her daughter Krithika. Her family members claim that Sujatha’s sisters-in-law used to harass her and this issue was resolved after negotiations and mutual consent.
Lokesh claimed that, on the morning of the death, Prashant, Sujatha’s brother, had received a call from the Sudhakar’s family stating that she was ill. However, on the way to her house, he came to know of his sister’s death.
Lokesh said that the family of Sujatha raised suspicions on the story and the evidence found at the scene. Though Sudhakar claims in his statement to the police that he had fed the child at 8.30 AM and left for work at 9.30 AM, the police found the bodies floating in the water. “If Sujatha really committed suicide then how was it possible that her body was floating in the well within half an hour? “, he questioned.
The family also said that recovery of a suicide note after a day of the death raised suspicions. “There was no death note found in Sujatha’s bag. However, on August 3, Sudhakar found a letter in the shelf. Moreover, the writing and signature found on the note don’t match Sujatha’s handwriting,” Lokesh alleged.
These loopholes in the evidences raise suspicions of murder, claimed the family. They also urged the police to investigate the death in all fairness and help get justice to the family by booking the culprits.
The family members of Sujatha-Suresh Yermal, Pradeep Raj, Asha and Gunakar K S-were present during the press meet.
