Days after murdering wife, trying to kill son, ex-serviceman found dead in suspected suicide

According to his statement, Mahendra opened the door and told him not to disturb his mother as she was sleeping after taking a pill. Atharv said he went into the bedroom and found his mother unresponsive. Her body allegedly felt cold and her face had turned dark and bluish, while there were injury marks on her neck.

When Atharv confronted his father, Mahendra allegedly locked the bedroom door from inside and attempted to strangle him with a cloth. The teenager managed to push him away and raise an alarm. Mahendra allegedly then picked up two knives from the kitchen and threatened to stab his son if he continued shouting. During the ensuing struggle, he allegedly slashed the teenager’s right thumb.

Neighbours rushed to the house after hearing the commotion. According to the FIR, Mahendra pushed his elderly father-in-law and fled towards the fields. Deepa was taken to a hospital in Khed and later to the government hospital at Chakan, where doctors declared her dead. Khed police had registered a case against Mahendra under Sections 103(1), 109(1) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder, attempt to murder and intentional insult.

Subsequently, a search was launched for Mahendra. “On Wednesday, the dead body of Mahendra Daundkar was found hanging from a tree in the Chandoli area in Khed. Initial probe points to this being a case of suicide. Further probe is on,” said an officer from Khed police station.