Seven members of a family, including three children, died in a shocking incident in Panchkula, Haryana, India.
A neighbourhood resident grew suspicious when he noticed a car with an Uttarakhand number plate parked behind his car.
The resident, who was walking with his brother that night, stated, "What we found odd was a towel hanging from the car." He added, "My brother and I approached the man (sitting next to the car) and asked him where he was from. He said the family was returning from Bageshwar Dham. Since they didn't find any hotel, they decided to spend the night in the car. I asked him to move the car to the market area."
Although the man initially got up in an attempt to move the car, the resident felt something was a bit off. So he went closer to the car and was horrified at what he witnessed.
There was a foul smell, and he said, "I saw six people lying flat. They had vomited on each other. The car was stinking. I pulled the man away and asked what the matter was. He then said his family had died in a suicide pact and that he would die too, in five minutes. The man claimed to be under a huge debt."
The man soon after collapsed and was later identified as 42-year-old Praveen Mittal. The deceased family inside the car were his elderly parents, his wife, and their three young children (two girls and a boy).
Although the entire family was rushed to the hospital, they were declared dead. The resident acknowledged the fact that if the ambulance had arrived on time, Praveen's life could have been saved.
Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police, Himadri Kaushik, stated, "We received information that six people have been brought to Ojas Hospital. When we reached there, we learnt they were declared dead." She added that "Another person was brought to the Civil Hospital, Sector 6. He has also been declared dead. Some facts make it clear it is a case of suicide. We are collecting scientific evidence to assess the matter."
Early investigations suggest that the family of seven had attended a religious programme in Bageshwar Dham and were heading back home. But at some point during that night, they had all allegedly consumed poison and tragically died by suicide. It is believed that "the family was under heavy debt and likely made a suicide pact."
The authorities have also obtained a suicide note, which will remain undisclosed until further investigation is completed.
According to reports, the bodies were sent to the mortuary of a private hospital.
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