A quiet neighbourhood in Pune’s Warje area woke up to an unbearable tragedy on Friday after a young mother and her toddler daughter were found dead inside their home, leaving neighbours and relatives stunned.

Police said 28-year-old Chhaya Devadkar allegedly strangled her two-year-old daughter Sharvi, who was battling a bone-related illness, before taking her own life. Investigators believe the woman was overwhelmed by her child’s deteriorating health and emotional stress linked to ongoing treatment.

The incident surfaced when Chhaya’s husband, Adinath Devadkar, returned from work around early afternoon and found the house locked from inside. After repeated knocks went unanswered, he alerted the police, fearing something was wrong.

“He knocked multiple times, but there was no response, so he informed the police. A police team reached the spot and broke down the door to enter the house. His wife and daughter were found unconscious. They were pronounced dead at the hospital. We have found a suicide note by the mother,” Police Sub-Inspector Vinayak Kapse, the investigating officer of this case, said.

Sharvi was undergoing medical care for a bone disease, and police sources said Chhaya had been showing signs of mental distress in recent months. The child was found lifeless inside the house, while the mother had died by suicide.

Adinath, a 30-year-old electrician, later filed a complaint at the Warje Malwadi police station. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Post-mortem examinations were conducted on both bodies, following which they were handed over to the family. Police officials said the suicide note is being examined carefully to understand the mother’s state of mind and whether she had sought help earlier.

The incident has once again highlighted the silent mental health struggles faced by caregivers dealing with prolonged illness at home, police officials said, as the investigation continues.