Tragic Discovery in Saharanpur: Five Family Members Found Dead
In a shocking incident that has left the community reeling, five members of a single family were found dead in their home in Sarsava town, Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The grim discovery came early on Tuesday morning, January 20, 2026, after a series of ominous events unfolded through the night.
A Cryptic Voice Note in the Dead of Night
The tragedy began to surface around 3 AM when Ashok Rathi, a 40-year-old land surveyor working with the district administration, sent a voice message to a relative. In the recording, which police are now examining, Rathi sounded deeply distressed. He reportedly said, "Mere se bohot badi galti ho gayi hai, me kya karu" – translating to "I've made a big mistake, what do I do." The message, sent in the quiet hours, carried a tone of desperation that would soon take on a horrifying significance.
The Morning Discovery
Just a few hours later, around 7 AM, the full scale of the tragedy became apparent. A relative living nearby grew concerned after repeated knocks on the family's door went unanswered. Attempts to enter the house by climbing proved futile, prompting an immediate call to the police.
A police team rushed to the scene and broke open the door. Inside a single room, they discovered five bodies lying in a pool of blood. All victims showed clear signs of gunshot wounds. The deceased included Ashok Rathi himself, his 35-year-old wife Anjita, their two teenage sons Kartik (16) and Dev (14), and Rathi's 70-year-old mother Vidhyawati.
Police Investigation Points to Murder-Suicide
Preliminary investigations by the Saharanpur Police suggest a possible murder-suicide scenario. Officers revealed that Ashok Rathi had been undergoing treatment for depression, a factor now central to their inquiry. During a search of the premises, police recovered three country-made pistols.
Forensic evidence provides crucial clues. Blackening around the gunshot wounds indicates the firing occurred from close range. Notably, police found no signs of forced entry or any evidence of a struggle within the house, making external involvement appear unlikely. Investigators also suspect the victims may have been sedated before their deaths.
Multiple Angles Under Examination
Ashish Tiwari, the Senior Superintendent of Police for Saharanpur who is overseeing the case, stated that authorities are examining all possible angles. One particular point of interest involves a family dispute about relocation. Police learned that Ashok Rathi had expressed a desire to shift to his ancestral village home, but other family members opposed the move.
The investigation is proceeding along several tracks:
- Analysis of the voice notes sent by Ashok Rathi before the incident
- A thorough review of Rathi's medical history and treatment for depression
- Examination of the family dynamics and the relocation disagreement
- Awaiting post-mortem reports from the forensic examination
A forensic team and dog squad were deployed to the scene to collect evidence. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and official reports are pending. As of now, no formal complaint has been filed by the deceased's family members.
Police continue their investigation to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this devastating loss of life in Saharanpur.
