In Bihar’s Rohtas district, a Muslim woman allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison along with her two minor children, days after her husband was lynched in a brutal attack.
The deceased has been identified as Reshma Khatoon. According to police, she allegedly consumed poison late Monday night at her home in the Mufassil police station area of Sasaram along with her four-year-old daughter Taiyba and one-and-a-half-year-old son Hamzad.
On Tuesday morning, neighbours grew suspicious after noticing no movement inside the house for a long time. They entered the house and found all three unconscious. The victims were rushed to a private clinic in Sasaram and later referred to Varanasi as their condition worsened.
Reshma Khatoon died during treatment, while her two children remain critical, reports said.
Rohtas Superintendent of Police Roshan Kumar confirmed her death and said further investigation is underway.
Husband lynched days before incident
The incident comes shortly after the murder of Reshma’s husband, Hasan Raza Khan, who was lynched on March 24 over a land dispute. According to reports, he was tied with ropes, dragged on a highway, and beaten to death in public. The assault was recorded on video and widely circulated on social media.
Police have so far arrested four of the eight accused in the lynching case. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.
Family alleges threats and fear
Family members have alleged that they were living under constant fear following the lynching and were receiving threats from the accused who are still absconding. Reports also suggest that even the person who recorded the lynching video has been threatened.
Authorities believe that the trauma and fear after the incident may have pushed Reshma Khatoon to take the extreme step.
A doctor who initially treated the victims said they had consumed pesticide.
Police action underway
Police officials said arrest warrants have been issued against the remaining accused in the lynching case and teams are working to apprehend them.
The incident has once again raised concerns about mob violence, witness intimidation, and the lack of protection for victims’ families in such cases.
