Kasargod: A couple, dejected over the ill-health of their teenager daughter, tried to administer poison to her and then consumed it themselves. In this bid, the husband died while the wife is battling for life in a hospital in Mangaluru.

The deceased is Babu Patali (65) a resident of Badiyadka. His wife Leelavathi is in critical state. Their daughter Nirmala (18) has escaped the suicide pact by throwing away the poison. The incident has occurred on Sunday night, but it came to light on Monday morning.

It is said that the couple had spent lakhs of rupees on Nirmala’s treatment and was dejected as they were finding it difficult to make their both ends meet.

Though the neighbours had rushed the couple to a local hospital, Babu Patali could not be saved. The couple’s son Harish was away when they resorted to taking this extreme step.

Badiyadka police has registered the complaint.