In a profoundly distressing incident, seven members of a family from Dehradun were discovered dead inside a car in Haryana's Panchkula on Monday night. The tragic event, suspected to be a suicide pact, has sent shockwaves through the local community and prompted a thorough police investigation.
The victims, found in a locked car parked in Sector 27 of Panchkula, have been identified as 42-year-old Praveen Mittal, his parents, his wife, and their three children – two daughters and a son. The discovery was made after locals noticed the car and its occupants and alerted the police.
Initial investigations suggest that the family may have consumed poison, leading to their deaths. Law enforcement officials are treating the case as a suspected mass suicide, with preliminary findings pointing towards severe financial distress as a potential motive. Sources indicate the family was burdened by heavy debt.
A suicide note was recovered from the vehicle, the contents of which have not yet been disclosed by the police. The note is expected to provide crucial insights into the circumstances that led to this extreme decision. Forensic experts are meticulously examining the note and other evidence collected from the scene to verify its authenticity and context.
Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Himadri Kaushik and DCP (Law and Order) Amit Dahiya, along with a forensic team, promptly arrived at the site to initiate a comprehensive investigation. "Our forensic team has reached the spot. We are analyzing... scanning the car thoroughly to know the reasons behind it," stated DCP Kaushik. "Some facts that have emerged primarily indicate that this is a matter of suicide."
According to reports, Praveen Mittal and his family had traveled to Panchkula to attend a Hanuman Katha program organized at Bageshwar Dham. It is believed that after the event concluded, while returning to Dehradun, they allegedly took their own lives.
The bodies have been transported to the mortuary of a private hospital in Panchkula for post-mortem examinations, which are expected to confirm the cause of death and provide further clarity to the investigation.
Authorities are currently working to confirm all details surrounding the incident and are in the process of contacting extended family members to assist with the investigation and to carry out the last rites. The police have registered a case, and investigations are actively ongoing.
This heart-wrenching incident underscores the devastating impact of financial hardship and the importance of seeking help during times of crisis. The Panchkula Police are committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the precise sequence of events and the underlying factors that contributed to this tragic loss of life. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited as the authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.
