4 dead, 3 critical in family suicide pact at Annanur

Preliminary inquiries revealed that they took the extreme step due to mounting debt of Rs 80 lakh. Among the deceased, Govindasamy (65) was into the building contract business which ran into the loss. The matter came to light around 6.50 pm on Saturday when Govindasamy’s son-in-law Arumugam came to the house in search of his wife and children. Arumugam, who stays at a rented house in Annanur near Govindasamy’s house in Sivasakthi Nagar, found all seven lying unconscious when he returnedfrom work.

Govindasamy and his wife Subbammal (60) were found unconscious in their bedroom, while their two sons, Nagaraj (35), a divorcee, and Ravi (30), were in the hall. Arumugam’s wife Kalyani (28) and daughters Sarveshwari (8) and Yogapriya (6) were also in an unconscious state.

Arumugam rushed them all to the private hospital in Avadi, where the doctors declared Govindasamy, Subbammal, Nagaraj and Ravi dead, while Kalyani and her two daughters were battling for life.

Tirumullaivoyal police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating. Officials suspect that Kalyani and the children could have consumed soft drinks mixed with insecticide after finding the others dead, and added that they would know the reason only after inquiring Kalyani, who is battling for her life.

Police team have collected the insecticide which has been sent to the forensic lab for analysis.

Helpline – Suicide: (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) Helplines: AASRA: 91-22-27546669 (24 hours), Sneha Foundation: 91-44-24640050 (24 hours), Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 1860-2662-345 and 1800-2333-330 (24 hours), Call: 022-25521111 (Available from Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm), Connecting NGO: 18002094353 (Available from 12 pm - 8 pm).