Mysterious death of four of a family: mother of kids in police custody

Kannur: Kerala police has taken into custody a woman in connection with the mysterious death of four people, including two children, of a family at Pinarayi of Kannur district.

Mother of the children, Soumya has been taken into police custody from Thalassey Co-operative hospital where she was undergoing a treatment.

Kunjikannan (76), wife Kamala (65), grandchildren Aiswarya (8) and Keerthana (1) died on separate days during last three months after prolonged vomiting and related ailments. The pattern of death raised suspicion and the local people called for investigation. Days ago, Soumya, the only remaining member of the family, was also admitted to hospital in a weak condition due to severe vomiting.

Rat-poison is suspected to be the reason of the deaths. Possibility of murder is also being probed.

Police has recovered the body of Aiswarya for examination.

Internal organs of Kunjikannan and Kamala were sent for examination. Aluminium phosphide is learnt to be the reason of deaths.