Miffed over being humiliated for her dark complexion, a woman in Maharashtra's Raigad district allegedly laced pesticide in food served at a relative's housewarming function, killing five people and putting nearly 80 in the hospital. According to media reports, some victims are in critical condition.
The incident took place on June 18 when the accused, Pragya Survase, mixed pesticide in the food and served it at the house of her relative, Subhash Mane, in Mahad village.
Four children and an elderly man died after consuming the food. Around 80 persons were also hospitalised due to food poisoning, and are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The police initiated a probe into the incident and arrested the woman on charges of attempt to murder.
"She confessed to doing it because of family disputes. 120 people fell ill and five died after eating at the party on June 18," said Raigad Superintendent of Police Anil Paraskar.
Survase was reportedly angry with her husband's family for having taunted her for her complexion and for claiming she had brought bad luck on the family.