A tragic and distressing incident has come to light in the Vajarahalli locality of Bengaluru, Karnataka, where a 40-year-old woman named Uma Devi has been booked by the police for allegedly murdering her 4-month-old twin baby girls before attempting to end her own life. Law enforcement authorities have formally registered a criminal case under relevant statutory provisions, initiating a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Preliminary findings suggest that the tragic sequence of events was deeply influenced by severe postpartum depression and critical hormonal imbalances experienced by the mother following childbirth.
Medical Evaluation Suspects Drowning as Cause of Infant Deaths
The tragic event unfolded on the afternoon of Tuesday, 1 September 2026, inside the family's residence in Vajarahalli. The situation came to light when the woman's husband, Ramalingappa, returned home from work during the afternoon hours. Upon arriving, he discovered that his wife, Uma Devi, had locked herself inside one of the residential rooms from within. Receiving no response despite repeated calls, he managed to open the door, only to find his wife attempting to hang herself using a dupatta. Acting swiftly and decisively, Ramalingappa rescued his wife from the noose, successfully preventing her suicide attempt.
However, inside the same room, the 4-month-old twin daughters were found unresponsive on the bed. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical intervention, where attending physicians examined the infants and declared them brought dead. Based on initial clinical observations, hospital doctors expressed suspicion that the twin infants died due to drowning. Following notification, a police team from the Thalaghattapura police station arrived at the scene to take custody of the bodies and initiate necessary legal procedures.
Birth of Twin Daughters Followed Years of Waiting and IVF Treatment
According to the formal complaint lodged with the police, Ramalingappa married Uma Devi in the year 2002. For over two decades, the couple maintained a harmonious marriage despite remaining childless. Desiring to start a family, they sought specialized medical guidance and underwent IVF treatment. Following successful medical procedures, Uma Devi conceived and subsequently gave birth to twin baby girls on 5 May 2026. The arrival of the newborn daughters brought immense joy to the household after years of anticipation.
Ramalingappa, who works in the real estate sector, resided at the Vajarahalli home alongside his wife Uma Devi, his elderly mother, and the newborn twins. While the birth of the infants brought renewed happiness to the family, the domestic environment shifted unexpectedly within a few weeks due to deteriorating maternal mental health conditions.
Maternal Mental Health Decline and Postpartum Depression Diagnosis
The complainant detailed that approximately 1.5 months after giving birth, Uma Devi began exhibiting noticeable behavioral changes and a diminishing interest in caring for the infants. She repeatedly expressed urges to admit the newborn babies to a local ashram or care shelter, prompting growing concern among family members. Recognizing the abnormal nature of her conduct, the family arranged for her medical evaluation and psychiatric treatment at a hospital.
Medical experts who examined Uma Devi informed the family that her altered behavior was the result of severe postpartum depression and significant post-delivery hormonal fluctuations. Doctors prescribed medical management and advised continuous monitoring. Despite these precautions, on the afternoon of 1 September, while her husband was away, Uma Devi secluded herself inside the room with the infants, leading to the devastating outcome.
Legal Proceedings and Murder Case Registered Under BNS Section 103
Based on the official statement provided by Ramalingappa, the Thalaghattapura police station has registered a formal case against Uma Devi under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to murder. Senior police officials confirmed that the accused woman is receiving medical attention while police authorities proceed with a detailed investigation. Forensic experts have gathered physical evidence from the scene to conclusively establish the timeline and exact cause of the infants' deaths.
