VILLUPURAM: A 30-year-old woman and her paramour murdered her husband, six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son by pushing them into a well near Kallakuruchi in Villupuram district on New Year’s Eve.

The woman, identified as K Maheswari, and her paramour, R Mahendiran, 33, who had earlier decided to elope and live elsewhere, realized the enormity of their crime later and attempted to commit suicide .

Police arrested the woman after she recovered on Friday while Mahendiran was still battling for his life at Mundiyampakkam government general hospital.

Police said Maheswari from Nethimedu in Salem district and P Kamaraj, 37, from Maniyur in the same district, got married seven years ago. The couple begot two children -- K Keerthi and K Sabari.

Maheswari was introduced to Mahendiran, her husband’s friend from a village near Kallakuruchi. She developed an illicit affair with him. She was in touch with him even after he left the country for an overseas assignment.

Mahendiran returned to his village a couple of months ago. He insisted her to desert her husband and children and live with him. They finally decided to eliminate her husband and children. According to the plan, Mahendiran invited the couple and children to his native village. He received them, and en route to his house, they stopped near a well and the two men consumed liquor.

Maheswari and Mahendiran waited until Kamaraj was drunk and pushed him into the well. Maheswari later threw her daughter into the well while Mahendiran threw the boy into the well.

They left the scene and spent the night in a secluded region in the village. They had planned to run away and live elsewhere. However, they realized the enormity of their crime and decided to end their lives. They consumed pesticide.

Villagers found them unconscious near the well and rescued them. They were rushed to Kallakuruchi government general hospital where a team of doctors referred them to Mundiyampakkam government general hospital in Villupuram.

The woman recovered completely on Friday while Mahendiran battled for his life. A team of policemen from Kilkuppam arrested her and produced her before a local court that remanded her in judicial custody.

