Two more victims, a migrant woman and her eight-year-old daughter, breathed their last during treatment at Government Medical College, Amritsar, on Tuesday, raising the death toll in the alleged pesticide consumption case in Mallu Kadarabad village near Kapurthala to three. The woman’s younger daughter had died earlier at the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, while her two-year-old son continues to undergo treatment.

The deceased have been identified as Santosh Devi, originally from Bihar, her eight-year-old daughter Amrita, and six-year-old daughter Khushi.

According to police and family members, the incident took place on Monday night when Santosh Devi allegedly consumed poisonous pesticide along with her three children following a domestic dispute. Her husband, Lovekush Kumar, who works in the fields, said he returned home late to find his wife vomiting, his children lying semi-conscious, and a bottle of pesticide nearby. He immediately called the 108 ambulance service, and all four were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala.

Doctors at the Civil Hospital provided emergency treatment, but Khushi succumbed soon after admission. As the condition of Santosh Devi, Amrita and the two-year-old boy deteriorated, they were referred to Government Medical College, Amritsar, for advanced treatment. Santosh Devi and Amrita later succumbed to their injuries, while the toddler remains under medical care.

Family members told police that Santosh Devi had allegedly taken the extreme step after a minor argument with her mother-in-law. However, police have not established the motive and said all aspects of the case are being investigated.

Confirming the latest deaths, Sadar Police Station SHO Ranjit Singh said the bodies of the three deceased would be handed over to their family after post-mortem examination and completion of legal formalities under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. He said the investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the alleged poisoning.