Saturday, March 29, 2025
Panchkula, May 27, 2025 — In a chilling development from Haryana, seven members of a Dehradun-based family attempted collective suicide in a parked car near Sector 27, Panchkula, late Monday night. Six were pronounced dead, while the lone survivor — family head Praveen Mittal — succumbed later at a second hospital after briefly regaining consciousness and revealing the motive behind the tragedy.
The incident came to light when passersby noticed a Hyundai Aura stationary for hours outside a house in Sector 27. Upon closer inspection, they spotted unconscious individuals inside, including Mittal in the driver’s seat. The police were alerted, and emergency services rushed the victims to a private hospital, where six were declared dead on arrival. Mittal was transferred to another facility in critical condition but later died.
A two-page suicide note recovered from the car has confirmed what many feared: the family had been crushed under the weight of massive debt. “I am bankrupt due to the bank. This is entirely my fault. Don’t blame my in-laws. Let my cousin perform the last rites,” the note stated in Hindi, signed by Praveen Mittal.
Mittal had previously operated a tour and travel business in Dehradun, which failed in recent years. After accruing heavy debts and struggling to meet household expenses, despair overtook him. The family had relocated to Panchkula and were reportedly staying in a rented home. On Monday, they had attended a religious sermon by Bageshwar Dham preacher Dhirendra Shastri. Before returning home, they ingested poison while still inside the car.
The deceased include Praveen Mittal, his wife, his elderly parents, and his three children — indicating the entire nuclear family perished together in what appears to be a deeply premeditated act.
Eyewitnesses report that Praveen was trembling and in visible distress when first responders arrived. “We have all taken poison due to unbearable financial burden,” he reportedly told bystanders. Despite immediate medical intervention, he could not be saved.
Panchkula Police have sent all bodies for postmortem and launched an investigation into the sequence of events and any additional contributing factors. Officials have not ruled out verifying any outstanding loans, creditors, or mental health issues that may have played a role.
This mass suicide case highlights the deepening mental health crisis and financial vulnerability facing many small entrepreneurs in India post-pandemic. Authorities are urging citizens facing similar stressors to seek help through official support lines and counseling services.
