MARGAO: The two Maharashtrian lovers who ended their lives after consuming Ratol have inadvertently brought in focus the easy over-the-counter availability of the deadly rat poison.
When it was known that Sonali Aher, 22, who was married and had a three-year-old son, was in love with a 17-year-old boy, both their families were opposed to the relationship.
Sonali, who uses her husband’s surname, and her teenaged lover then decided to elope from Nashik to Goa.
The couple reached Margao by train on October 30 and then checked into a guest house at Colva by giving her husband’s Aadhaar Card as ID proof.
As per sources at the Colva police station, both families were against the relationship as the boy is a minor and the woman was already married and had a son. “Her husband is still alive,” the Colva police personnel said.
Police sources also told Herald that while the woman’s statement was being recorded, she lied that they got married/exchanged vows before attempting suicide.
PI Colva Filomena Costa said that the Maharashtrian couple had a liking for each other and would often meet. Both families, who were engaged in farming, began to stiffly oppose the relationship.
Police said that on October 31 Sonali and her teenaged boyfriend, after having dinner consumed the rat poison, after which both fell unconscious.
The incident came to light on November 1, after the matter was reported to the Colva police station. The woman and the boy were shifted to the South Goa District Hospital in Margao for treatment but the teenager died on the same day.
Police disclosed that after Sonali’s condition worsened she was shifted to the Goa Medical College Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, where she died on November 5.
Police said that Sonali’s death was within seven years of marriage, the sub divisional magistrate (SDM), Margao, was informed.
However, the Colva police have ruled out any foul play in the case and have registered the case as unnatural death under Section 164 of CrPC.
Both the bodies were handed over to their families after post mortem examination.
