Bengaluru Woman's Dying Declaration Reveals Mercury Poisoning by Husband: A Case of Fatal Domestic Abuse

Before her tragic demise, Vidya informed authorities that her husband had administered mercury injections with lethal intent.

A Bengaluru woman who succumbed to mercury poisoning had previously provided police with detailed testimony implicating her husband. In her statement, Vidya revealed that laboratory technicians supplied her spouse with chloroform, syringes, and mercury.

Vidya recounted in a recorded statement, "There was a lab called SLN diagnostic centre where a couple worked as technicians. While I cannot recall the husband's name, the wife was called Swetha. They provided my husband with chloroform, syringes, and mercury."

According to Vidya's account, she fell asleep on February 26 and only regained consciousness the following evening. Subsequently, she experienced excruciating pain in her right thigh, resembling an injection site. The affected leg became swollen, hampering her mobility. As her condition deteriorated, she sought medical assistance at Attibele Government Hospital on March 7, from where she was redirected to Oxford Hospital.

Medical professionals at Oxford Hospital conducted comprehensive examinations that confirmed mercury poisoning. They performed surgical intervention and submitted samples for laboratory analysis, which verified the presence of mercury.

"Upon awakening, I discovered my leg was swollen and I struggled to walk. When I visited the government hospital, they detected a metallic substance," Vidya stated.

Vidya accused her husband Basavaraj and his father Mariswamachari of injecting mercury into her body with homicidal intentions.

Her dying declaration detailed persistent harassment, humiliation, and neglect from both her husband and father-in-law. She reported that Basavaraj regularly referred to her as "mad," confined her to their residence, prevented family visits, and subjected her to routine abuse.

The couple has a four-year-old child.

Vidya underwent medical treatment for over a month before being transferred to Victoria Hospital, where physicians informed her that the toxin had permeated her entire system, causing multiple organ damage, particularly to her kidneys. Despite receiving dialysis treatment, her condition remained critical. After a nine-month battle for survival, Vidya ultimately passed away in November.