Leela, a housemaid and resident of Anand Nagar in Thane, has been charged under Sections 309 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for attempted suicide and attempt to murder by the Kopri police.

Widowed two years ago, Leela subsequently fell in love with her neighbour, 27-year old Sanjeev Nagle. Though Sanjeev had promised to marry her, his family was determined to thwart the marriage as they were couldn't bear to have a widow as a daughter-in-law.

On the morning of November 14, Sanjeev's brother Tukaram accosted Leela on her way to work and threatened her withdire consequences if she continued seeing his brother. Tukaram's wife, Vasanti, and his sisters Lalita and Vanita, also arrived on the scene. In full public view, they proceeded to hurl abuses at Leela. The commotion brought the neighbours out and as they watched, the Nagle women pulled Leela's hair and beat her to `teach her a lesson'.

On November 16, a shattered Leela mixed rat poison with water, drank some of its and fed the rest to her daughters, Kanchan (4) and Pranali (3). But, with death staring her in the face, Leela panicked and ran to her neighbours and pleaded with them to accompany her to hospital.

Leela and her daughters were admitted to the Thane Civil Hospital at around 9 am and were discharged later. She was also booked for attempt to commit suicide and murder and remanded to the custody of the Thane Nagar police.

Investigating Officer, Inspector J S Khairnar said told Express Newsline that the Nagle family members have been charged under Sections 341, 323, 504, 309 and 511 of theIPC, for assault, issuing threats and abetment to suicide. The Nagles were also arrested on November 17 and are out on bail. Leela, whose daughters are with relatives, told Express Newsline: ``The insults were too much to bear. I just felt like giving up my life.''