Haryana News: Debt & Mental Stress Suspected In Deaths Of 7 Family Members In Panchkula (VIDEO)

Chandigarh: Seven members of a family from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, were found dead in a car in Sector 27, Panchkula, near here, late on Monday night.

Suspecting it to be a case of suicide due to huge debt and psychological issues, police said that the deceased family members, included one Praveen Mittal, 42, his father Deshraj, mother Vimla, Praveen’s wife Reena, twin teenage daughters Dhruvika and Dalisha and son Hardik.

VIDEO | Panchkula, Haryana: Seven members of a family from Dehradun found dead inside a car. Police investigating the case.

DSP Panchkula Himadri Kaushik says, "Our forensic team has reached the spot. We are analysing... scanning the car thoroughly to know the reasons behind the… pic.twitter.com/IetVgT6ojz

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 27, 2025

Some of the residents of the sector, who had noticed the parked car in a secluded area of the sector till late night, informed police as well as the ambulance, said that even though the police team came in about 15 minutes, the ambulance came after more than half an hour.

Police said all the family members were presumed to have consumed poison inside their car which had its rear window panes covered with a towel and its doors locked from inside. When a police team reached the spot after being informed about the vehicle, Praveen was alive, who told the police personnel that he and his family members had consumed poison. Praveen also died after a few minutes.

A handwritten suicide note was also found from Praveen which read that he had gone bankrupt and he was responsible for the suicide by all. Stating that his father-in-law should not be harassed, the note further read that the last rites of his family should be done by his cousin brother.

Meanwhile, some of the relatives told police that the family had also lived in Panchkula and financially stable but they had moved to Dehradum about nine years ago after facing huge losses in business.

The family members also said that Praveen had taken a loan of about Rs 1 crore which he failed to repay and that he earlier ran a business of scrap material but had moved to Dehradun where he attempted to run a tours and travels business but failed and fell under huge debts.

Deputy Commissioner of police (DCP), Panchkula, Amit Dahiya, said while a thorough investigation was on, it appears to be a case of suicide due to financial debts and psychological issues the family faced. The bodies have been sent for the post mortem so as to ascertain the exact cause of death, he added.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help here: | Mental Health Helplines |