Shristy Kamal, Pune
In a horrifying incident that occurred in Kandivali (East) Mumbai early on Saturday, a senior citizen is accused of stabbing his bedridden wife with a knife before attempting to slash his neck in their flat.
“The pair were treated at different hospitals and are in stable condition. Before attempting suicide, the accused, Vishnukant Ballur, 79, is said to have stabbed his wife, Shakuntala, 76, roughly eight times with kitchen knives”, a Samta Nagar police official said on Sunday.
The incident happened at 3:00 a.m. on Friday. When the couple’s housekeeper, Anita Thorat, 40, who was hired two days ago to help Shakuntala with her food and necessities, arrived at their flat on the third floor of the Mercury Society and rang the bell but got no response, she alerted the building’s watchman.
A preliminary investigation found that the elderly woman had a chronic illness, and the two were irritated and depressed about it. The door was open when the watchman and the house assistant arrived at the couple’s home. According to the official, they discovered the woman laying in a pool of blood.
The investigating officer stated, “From what we understand, he was frustrated with his life, especially because of her almost vegetative state. They both suffered from diabetes for the last two decades. While he could still walk with the help of a walker, the wife has been completely bedridden for years now.”
A FIR was filed against Vishnukant under relevant Indian Penal Code sections, including 307 (attempt to murder). An investigation is underway, according to the police.