Nitin allegedly said he returned to the site after two days to find bodies of the children missing and decided to slit his wrists.

Nitin was missing since Sunday when he took the children along. He was found unconscious under a tree in the same jungle in Kasara Ghat from where bodies of the children were recovered.

He said he wanted to commit suicide as he was fed up with his wife’s mental instability.

Nitin was first taken to Thane Civil Hospital and later to JJ Hospital, where he is recuperating in ICU.

Police claimed Nitin confirmed on Friday he killed the children and left the place.

“Nitin told us after leaving the spot he roamed the area for two days before returning to check. When he found the bodies missing, he decided to end his life,” said an officer at Kasara police station.

Ravindra Sengaonkar, superintendent of Thane rural police, said Nitin revealed that he left house after a fight with wife. Determined to end his life after leaving the children in safe hands, he headed toward Igatpuri on a bus on Monday.