Initially, the police thought it to be a case of food poisoning when they were told that Kisna Ramaji Yelne (35) and his two-year-old niece, Ekadashi Damu Yelne, died after consuming tea at Kisna's residence in Singori-Bori near Mouda, around 8 pm on June 13.

His son, Nilesh (18), who had also consumed the same tea, was removed to a hospital at Kamptee in a semi-conscious state. Nilesh has since survived and is reportedly recovering.

Meanwhile, investigation by the Mouda police who had registered a case of accidental death, revealed an entirely different tale. The police established that Kisna's sister-in-law and Ekadashi's mother, Shobha Damu Yelne, who was on a visit to Singori-Bori had tried to poison the father-son duo by offering them tea. As fate wouldhave it, Ekadashi who was sitting near Kisna, caught attention of her uncle while he was consuming tea. The unsuspecting Kisna made the girl take a few sips from the tea, served to him by her mother. A little later the poison started to have its effect on Kisna, Ekadashi and Nilesh as well, police said.

Shobha who hails from village Kharda, was taken into custody last night.

She was produced in the court at Ramtek today for police custody remand. The police are yet to ascertain the factor which led Shobha to poison Kisna and his son.

Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.