In a heartbreaking incident, seven members of a family, including three minors, were found dead inside a car parked on a vacant plot in Sector 27, Panchkula, Haryana, on Tuesday. Police suspect the family, originally from Uttarakhand, died by suicide due to severe financial distress.
The deceased include two girls aged 12-13, their 14-year-old brother, their parents, and grandparents, according to police reports. The family, previously residents of Chandigarh, was discovered in a vehicle with its rear windshield covered by a towel, indicating a possible attempt to conceal the act.
Additional Commissioner of Police Vikram Nehra reported that when the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital in Panchkula, only the children’s father was still breathing but succumbed during treatment. Two of the deceased have been identified as Praveen Mittal and his father, Deshraj Mittal.
Initial investigations point to overwhelming financial debt as the likely trigger for the suicide pact. Praveen Mittal, who operated a tour and travel business in Dehradun, had reportedly faced significant financial losses, which may have driven the family to this extreme step.
DCP (Panchkula) Himadri Kaushik, who inspected the scene, confirmed the deaths and stated, “We received information that six individuals were taken to Ojas Hospital, where they were declared dead. Another person was brought to Civil Hospital, Sector 6, and was also pronounced dead. Preliminary findings suggest this was a case of suicide involving family members. Our officers are investigating at the scene.”
A case has been registered, and a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
