Family of 7 die by mass suicide after attending Bageshwar Dham event; consume poison amid financial pressure

In an unfortunate incident, seven members of a family from Dehradun were found dead inside a locked car in Sector 27 of Haryana’s Panchkula district on Tuesday, news agency ANI has reported.

Initial investigation suggests it may be a case of mass suicide linked to financial distress.

The deceased have been identified as 42-year-old Praveen Mittal, along with his wife, parents, two daughters, and a son. The car was found parked along a residential lane outside a house, with all doors shut from inside.


Panchkula Deputy Commissioners of Police Himadri Kaushik and Amit Dahiya arrived at the scene soon after being alerted. “We received information that six people have been brought to Ojas Hospital. When we reached here, we found out that they are all dead. Another person was brought to the Civil Hospital, Sector 6; he has also been declared dead,” Kaushik told reporters. “Prima facie, it looks like a matter of suicide. All of the deceased are family members.”

According to the police, a suicide note was found inside the vehicle. While the full contents remain undisclosed, officers said that the family appeared to be under heavy financial burden, which may have led them to take the drastic step.

Police sources said Praveen Mittal and his family had travelled from Dehradun to Panchkula to attend a Hanuman Katha programme organised by Bageshwar Dham. The event had concluded recently, and the family was reportedly on their way back when the incident occurred.

A forensic team has collected evidence from the spot. All bodies have been moved to local hospitals for postmortem examinations. Police said the autopsy reports will be crucial in confirming the cause of death.

(With ANI inputs)