Amreli Man Kills Daughter, Stores Body in Fridge, Dies by Suicide Over Debt
A 40-year-old construction supervisor in Gujarat's Amreli district allegedly killed his five-year-old daughter, placed her body in a refrigerator and died by suicide, leaving notes that cited a financial crisis.
A 40-year-old man in Gujarat's Amreli district allegedly killed his five-year-old daughter, placed her body in a refrigerator and then died by suicide, with police saying he left behind notes that pointed to a mounting financial crisis.
The man, identified as Kishore Dhanak, worked as a supervisor at a construction site. He was at home with his daughter, Himanshi, on Wednesday when he allegedly smothered her by covering her mouth with his hand, according to Rajula Deputy Superintendent of Police Nayana Goradiya. He then put her body in the refrigerator and hanged himself from a ceiling fan.
Three suicide notes were recovered from a bed in the room, the first information report states. In one of them, Dhanak wrote that he had taken a personal loan and invested the money in construction work, his wife Manjuben said in the FIR. He was owed Rs 7.25 lakh that business associates had not paid, and with no money left and no way out, he decided to end his life along with his daughter, the note said.
A second note explained that he had killed the child because he did not want her to suffer after his death. In a third, he apologised and disclosed that he had placed her body in the refrigerator.
The deaths came to light after Manjuben, who had gone to her father's house on September 14, was unable to reach Dhanak by phone. She sent her brother to check on him on Wednesday evening, and when no one answered the door, the house was broken into. Dhanak was found hanging inside.
Inspector P L Chaudhary said the room appeared unusual. It had been decorated with balloons and candles, and the child had been dressed in white, with a dupatta placed on her head and cushions arranged inside the refrigerator. Tulsi leaves were placed on her lips. Idols had been used for a puja in the decorated room, and chocolates were kept in the room and the refrigerator.
A paper bearing the words "Happy Birthday Himanshi" was placed on the refrigerator, even though it was not the child's birthday. Chaudhary said it appeared Dhanak wanted to celebrate her birthday one last time.
Police have registered a case under section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with murder, and further investigation is underway.