Salem woman kills 5-year-old daughter to keep love affair under wraps

According to police, Priyanka Gandhi, wife of Shankar, a native of Cuddalore and working in Singapore, had developed an illegal affair at Thalaivasal in Salem district, where she was living with her parents.

“As her daughter Shivani knew about the affair, Priyanka feared that it would be exposed. On Thursday night, conceiving a plan, she pledged her jewels with a financier. While returning home, she threw her daughter into a farm well and she also jumped,” police added.

Police said that Priyanka managed to stay afloat by holding a pipe all through the night, while her daughter drowned.

On Friday at 6 am, the villagers on hearing her cry, came for help by letting a rope inside the well. She was then rushed to Attur Government Hospital for treatment.

After a search, the fire and rescue personnel brought out the body of the girl from the well. Police said though Priyanka claimed that she and her daughter was pushed into the well by robbers, after snatching away her jewels. Later, after further grilling, she confessed to the crime.