Four of two families, including two children, found dead in Kurnool and Sri Sathya Sai districts

Four people, including two children, died, and two others were battling for life, in two separate incidents in Kurnool and Sri Sathya Sai districts, the police said on Friday (June 12, 2026).

A man, a woman, and a one-year-old child allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at a cotton field at Gulyam village in Halaharvi mandal on Thursday. The woman, identified as Neelavati, and the infant died on the spot, while Mahesh was rushed to the Adoni Government Hospital in a critical condition.

Police said Mahesh, a native of Gulyam, had migrated to Karnataka nearly 15 years ago and had recently returned to the village with Neelavati and the child. Preliminary inquiries suggest family disputes may have triggered the incident. The police are also investigating whether the woman and child were forced to consume the pesticide before Mahesh allegedly attempted to take his life.

In another incident, in M. Birepalli village of Hindupur mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district, financial troubles had allegedly driven a woman to take her life. Mahalakshmi, 40, reportedly consumed poison and gave it to her two children.

The woman and her 10-year-old son, Rishi, died, while her 12-year-old daughter, Srinidhi, was battling for life at the District Hospital in Anantapur.

(Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts can seek help and counselling by calling the police at 100; the Tele-MANAS helpline 14416, toll-free.)