A Dehradun-based family visiting Panchkula for a religious event died by suicide, leaving behind a note blaming financial hardship. Only one member was briefly found alive but later succumbed.
BY PC Bureau
In a tragic incident late Monday night, seven members of a family from Dehradun died by suicide after allegedly consuming poison in Haryana’s Panchkula. The incident occurred in Sector 27 and was reported to police around 11 pm.
According to initial investigations, the family had traveled from Uttarakhand to attend a religious event in the city. Police found the family members inside a car, with six of them already deceased—including a woman, her three minor children (all under the age of 14), and two elderly relatives. The woman’s husband, identified as Praveen Mittal, was discovered outside the car and was still breathing when emergency services arrived. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed during treatment.
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Police recovered a suicide note from the vehicle, which cited financial distress as the reason behind the drastic act. Additional Commissioner of Police Vikram Nehra said the rear windshield of the car was covered with a towel, likely to prevent visibility inside.
READ:
Tragic news from Panchkula: 7 members of a family from Dehradun died by suicide after reportedly consuming poison inside a parked vehicle in Sector 27. Financial distress suspected. Police have recovered a suicide note. Investigation underway.#Panchkula #Haryana #Dehradun pic.twitter.com/Lt3HHF33R9
— Sushil Manav (@sushilmanav) May 27, 2025
Deputy Superintendent of Police Himadri Kaushik confirmed the ongoing forensic analysis and added, “Preliminary evidence suggests this is a case of suicide.” Nirmal Singh, Inspector of the Crime Branch, said they received information about the bodies around 11 pm and transported them to Civil Hospital, Panchkula for further examination.
Praveen Mittal reportedly ran a tour and travel business in Dehradun and had been facing severe financial setbacks, which may have led to the tragedy.
Speaking to the media, Mittal’s father-in-law expressed shock and said, “I don’t know anything. I don’t even know when he came or left.”
