Bhadohi (UP), Aug 22 (PTI) Two friends — one purportedly married off against her wishes while the other was disallowed from marrying her lover — allegedly consumed pesticide in a village here, resulting in the death of one, while the other is undergoing treatment, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred Friday evening in Pattibejanv village under Suriyawan police station limits.
Distressed by their circumstances, childhood friends Kavita (18) and Sadhana (19) consumed celphos tablets (‘sulfas’ in local parlance) together, causing their conditions to deteriorate, police said.
Family members rushed them to Maharaja Balwant Singh Government Hospital. Kavita was subsequently referred to Varanasi due to her critical condition. However, she died late Friday. Sadhana is undergoing treatment and her condition is said to be stable.
Sadhana and her family members told police that she had married against her will two months ago. She had been staying at her maternal home for the past month as she did not like her husband.
According to police, the two friends — who had been close since childhood and had studied together up to Class 10 — confided in each other about their distress and resolved to end their lives.
On Friday, they purchased ‘sulfas’ tablets from the market. Then they came back to Sadhana’s home, where Kavita consumed two tablets while Sadhana took one.
When Sadhana’s parents returned home in the evening and found the two unconscious, they informed Kavita’s family. Subsequently, both were taken to hospital by ambulance with the help of the police.
Celphos is a restricted, highly toxic grain fumigant containing 56 per cent aluminum phosphide. When it reacts with moisture in air, it releases the lethal phosphine gas. It is extremely dangerous, with high human mortality rate, and has no specific medical antidote.
Sadhana told police that her family had forced her into marriage. On the other hand, Kavita’s family had refused to consent to her marrying her lover.
Circle Officer (City) Sumit Tripathi said Sadhana’s statement has been recorded before a magistrate, and further legal action is underway. Kavita’s body has been sent for post-mortem. PTI COR NAV ARB ARB
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