Man poisons own family,three die

Soni’s wife Reeta (48) and son Rohit (18) are undergoing treatment in a local hospital,but their condition is critical,he said.

Shukla said the remains of the poisonous substance,a white powder,have been sent for laboratory tests. The reason behind Soni’s action is not known,but the police are trying to contact the family’s relatives,the DIG said.

Varanasi SP (City) Vijay Bhushan said before becoming unconscious,Soni’s son Rohit told them they belonged to the City Kotwali area of Ghazipur district where his father owned a jewellery shop. Soni and his family came to Varanasi in the morning,had a bath in the Ganga at Dashashwamedh Ghat and then went to a restaurant.

After ordering for lunch at the restaurant,Soni went to a nearby shop and returned with two bottles of a soft drink. He poured the drink in glasses,took out a sachet containing white powder from his pocket,put some in every glass,and asked everyone to drink,Bhushan said.

He said Reeta and Rohit consumed only a small amount of the drink. Soni and his daughters fell unconscious immediately after having the drink. The locals rushed the family to the government hospital at Kabir Chaura locality where Soni and his daughters were declared brought dead,Bhushan said.

The SP (City) also said that Soni’s son expressed ignorance when asked if his father was going through any difficult situation.