A man allegedly killed his wife and three young children with an axe after a heated argument at their home in Madhya Pradesh, India, early Saturday morning.
The victims were identified as 27-year-old Khema Patel, her seven-year-old daughter Urmila, and her two sons, aged five and one.
According to police, the 30-year-old suspect and his wife had reportedly been involved in domestic disputes for more than a year.
Damoh district police chief Anand Kaladgi said Khema had lodged a complaint over a dowry-related issue at Magron police station about six months ago.
“Family members tried to reconcile the couple after the complaint was made.
“On Friday, another argument broke out between the couple. Relatives intervened before leaving after the situation appeared to have calmed down,” he said.
Police believe the suspect later attacked his wife and children while they were asleep in the early hours of Saturday.
At about 6.30am, police received information that a man was sitting outside the house holding an axe and claiming he had killed his family members.
Officers rushed to the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Dwarka Patel.
He allegedly did not attempt to flee after the incident and instead remained outside the house with the axe until police arrived.
Police are continuing their investigation, including examining the family’s previous complaints and taking statements from relatives and other witnesses.
