Ponnampet: The prime accused who caused the death of seven persons after he set his son’s house on fire in South Kodagu on Apr. 3 was found dead this morning inside a coffee estate. It is suspected that has committed suicide. 

Seven persons including four children were burnt to death in the incident that occurred at Mugutugeri village near Ponnampet in South Kodagu where a group of estate labourers were staying in the line house. On the night of Apr. 2, accused Paniyeravara Boja had set the house on fire when 10 of his family members including his wife Paniyeravara Baby were sleeping. 

In a drunken stupor, Boja locked the house door from outside and climbed onto the tiled roof of the house using a wooden ladder with cans of petrol. He lifted a couple of tiles and poured petrol on the sleeping family members. While three persons died on the spot, three breathed their last at K.R. Hospital in Mysuru. The victims included four children aged below 10. 

As the news of Boja’s body being discovered spread, the news of one more person – 28-year-old Bhagya – at K.R. Hospital came, taking the toll to seven. Bhagya’s two children had died in the fire. Her husband Thola is now left with no family. Boja, a drunkard, had a long-standing dispute with his wife Baby and unable to bear his torture and beatings, Baby decided to leave his house and stay at her son Manju’s house at Mugutugeri. 

On the night of April 2, Boja decided to kill Baby and in the process, he eliminated most of his own family members. After the dastardly act, Boja called up his daughter and said that he has been calling his wife since the last three weeks but she did not return home despite many requests. In the call, he was heard telling his daughter that he had burnt down the house with petrol and asked his daughter to see her mother’s plight. 

Ponnampet Police have retrieved the body and have sent it for post-mortem. As Boja was absconding, the Police had issued “Most Wanted” notice against him. Incidentally, Boja’s dead body was found metres away from the house that he had burnt down. Police suspect that he killed himself fearing law.