A spine-chilling case of familial homicide-cum-suicide unfolded in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena on Saturday, sending shockwaves across the district. A man allegedly axed his wife and two children to death, and later died by suicide after being struck by a train, the police said. According to a preliminary probe, the family had been grappling with domestic disputes, and the tensions between the couple escalated after the woman staged a dance performance during a religious event earlier this month. 

Woman, kids found dead at home

The police named the man who took the extreme step as Balram Kuswaha, while his wife has been identified as Ravita Kushwaha. Ravita and two of her sons were found dead at their house in Kishanpur village. Police said Balram allegedly hacked his wife and sons inside their home late Friday night. After the incident, he reportedly left his house and went to a railway track situated nearby, where he was hit by a passing train. 

The crime came to public sight on Saturday morning when neighbours noticed unusual silence at the house. When they received no response, they looked inside and discovered the woman and her sons lying dead in the courtyard. They raised an alarm and informed the police. 

The cops rushed to the scene, and while probing the incident, received information about the body of a man lying on a nearby railway track. 

Kin allege disputes began after religious event

Ravita’s father, Malkhan said that tensions flared within the family after his daughter participated in a dance during a Bhagwat Katha event organised in the village around 10 days ago. 

He added that Balram allegedly assaulted Ravita after the event and refused to let her stay at home, forcing her to return to her parental home on June 17, 2026. 

He then claimed that Balram and his kin persuaded Ravita to return to Kishanpur on June 24. However, upon her return, the domestic discord continued to brew between the couple. 

The police have not yet confirmed whether the discord over the dance performance was the sole reason behind the incident, and are treating it as one of the aspects under probe.

Sequence of events being established 

Morena DSP (Headquarters) Vijay Bhadoria said preliminary findings suggest the couple had been involved in arguments with each other since long. As per police, they have sent all the bodies for autopsy and have launched a probe to piece together the sequence of events, as well as establish the motive behind the murder-suicide. 

As part of the probe, the cops are recording statements from family members, neighbours and other witnesses. Forensic teams are also examining the evidence collected from the crime scenes. 

Police said further details will emerge after the arrival of the post-mortem reports and completion of forensic analysis.