Panchkula (Haryana) [India], May 27 (HBTV): In a heart-wrenching incident, seven members of a family from Dehradun were found dead in a car in Sector 27 of Haryana's Panchkula district on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Praveen Mittal (42), his parents, wife, two daughters, and a son. All seven bodies were found inside a locked car parked on the roadside outside a house in the residential area.

Panchkula DCP Himadri Kaushik and DCP (Law and Order) Amit Dahiya immediately reached the location and began an investigation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Himadri Kaushik stated, ‘We received information that six people have been brought to Ojas Hospital. When we reached here, we found out that they are all dead. Another person was brought to the Civil Hospital, Sector 6; he has also been declared dead. Prima facie, it looks like a matter of suicide. All of the deceased are family members, and the investigating officers are at the spot.’

The police recovered a suicide note from the car, although its full contents have not been disclosed.

According to police officials, the family appeared to be under immense financial pressure, which could have driven them to take the extreme step. Preliminary investigation suggests that the family consumed poison in a suspected case of mass suicide, possibly triggered by heavy debt and financial distress.

Sources said Praveen Mittal, a resident of Dehradun, had travelled with his family to Panchkula to attend a Hanuman Katha programme organised by Bageshwar Dham. The event had recently concluded, and the family was reportedly on their way back to Dehradun when they allegedly took the drastic step.

A forensic team arrived at the scene and collected samples for investigation. All seven bodies were sent to the mortuary of private hospitals in Panchkula. Postmortem examinations are expected to be conducted to confirm the exact cause of death and assist in the ongoing probe.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)