New Delhi: A man and his four daughters were found dead in Vasant Kunj's Rangpuri village in the national capital.
The four had allegedly consumed poison and died by suicide. Police were alerted at 10:18 am on September 27 about a foul smell coming from the house. When they arrived, they broke the lock of the flat and discovered the bodies.
Family's struggles after the mother's death
The deceased, Hira Lal (50), lived with his daughters—Neetu, Nishi, Neeru, and Nidhi—who were unable to walk due to their disabilities, sources said. His wife had passed away a year ago, reportedly from cancer.
Father's employment at Spinal Injury Hospital
According to Delhi Police, Hira Lal had been working as a carpenter at Spinal Injury Hospital in Vasant Kunj since 1996.
CCTV footage offers key timeline clues
Visuals from the CCTV footage show him entering the house on September 24, and since then, the door remained locked from inside. One of the daughters was blind, and another had difficulty walking, while details of the others are still being investigated, an official added.
Neighbours raise alarm over foul smell
One of the neighbours of the deceased family, Ratan, alerted the police after noticing a foul smell. "The caretaker called and asked about them... He informed me about a foul smell and flies around the house. We hadn't seen them for two to three days... We called the landlord and the police... and the police opened the house and found the five bodies," Ratan said.
Sulphaz pouches found at the scene
Sulphaz pouches were found at the scene which indicated the case to be of poisoning, added police sources. "The door was locked from inside, and sulphaz pouches were found. In the initial investigation, Delhi Police called it a suicide."
Sacred thread tied around the victims
According to Delhi Police sources a red sacred thread was tied around the stomach and neck of all four girls. The bodies of the four girls were lying on the double bed in the first room and the body of the man was found in the second room, sources said, adding that all the five deceased were found with white froth near their mouths.
(With ANI inputs)