BARNALA: A 50-year-old man allegedly killed his wife with an axe while she was collecting fodder in a field near Channanwal village on Friday, before returning home and consuming a poisonous substance. He later died at a hospital, police said.The deceased have been identified as Bhola Singh and his wife, Karamjit Kaur alias Kammo, both around 50 years old.According to Mahal Kalan station house officer Kamaljit Kaur, Karamjit had gone to the fields around noon with fellow villager Manjit Kaur to collect fodder for their cattle, as she routinely did. While she was cutting grass, Bhola allegedly approached her from behind and attacked her multiple times with an axe, killing her on the spot, the SHO said.After the alleged killing, Bhola returned to the village and consumed a poisonous substance. He was taken to Civil Hospital in Barnala, where doctors declared him dead.Deputy superintendent of police Jaswinder Kaur, who reached the spot after receiving information about the incident, confirmed both deaths and said an investigation was underway to establish the motive behind the killing and the circumstances leading to Bhola’s death.The couple had four children — three daughters and a son. Their eldest daughter is married, while the other children are pursuing their studies, according to information available.Preliminary information suggests that Bhola, who worked as a daily-wage labourer, was allegedly addicted to drugs, leading to frequent disputes within the family. However, police have not established whether substance abuse or suspicion played any role in the incident.Bhola had married twice and had a son from his first marriage who lives separately in the village. Karamjit reportedly reared livestock to help support the household.(With PTI inputs)
