Seven members of a family were found dead in a car near a house in Sector 27 of Haryana’s Panchkula. The family had allegedly consumed poison in what the police suspect to be a case of collective suicide driven by financial distress.
According to police officials, the deceased family hailed from Dehradun in Uttarakhand and had travelled to Panchkula to attend a spiritual event at Bageshwar Dham. The deceased include 42-year-old Praveen Mittal, his parents, his wife, and their three children — two daughters and a son.
Initial reports indicate that the tragic event occurred on Sunday while the family was returning to Dehradun after the conclusion of the five-day Hanuman Katha at the spiritual centre. While searching for a hotel near Sector 27, Praveen Mittal allegedly took the drastic step, consuming poison along with his entire family, sources said.
Locals in the vicinity were the first to notice the family inside a parked vehicle, appearing unwell and struggling. Alarmed by the scene, they immediately informed the police. Responding to the call, the police arrived at the location and forcibly opened the car doors in an attempt to rescue the unconscious family members.