Patna: Bodies of a man and his wife were recovered from a locked room in Parma village under Nardiganj police station in Nawada late on Wednesday with police investigating whether the deaths were a case of suicide or murder.The deceased were identified as Subodh Singh, 51, and his wife, Ruby Kumari, 48, who had been married for about 20 years.Police said villagers became suspicious after the house remained locked for a long time and alerted the authorities. The police broke open the door in the presence of locals and found the couple dead inside. A forensic team examined the scene and collected samples.Ruby’s brother alleged the couple had been poisoned by the man’s relatives over a long-running family dispute.“The family was trying to pass it off as suicide. There was a long-standing family dispute, including over property. Other family members received benefits from the property while Subodh got nothing. He worked as a private and school vehicle driver to support the family,” he claimed.He also alleged his sister and brother-in-law had been harassed by the husband’s family and said he was driven out of the village after reaching there following the incident.Nardiganj SHO Rajesh Kumar said, “A white powder-like substance was recovered from the spot. It appears to be some pesticide. It has been sent for forensic investigation. The case prima facie appears to be suicide, but the actual cause of death will be confirmed only after the postmortem report and completion of the forensic examination.”Police said the allegations made by the woman’s family are being examined. “An unnatural death case has been registered and further investigation is underway,” the police added.
