Two members of a family in Patiala died after four of them allegedly consumed poison at their residence in Officer's Colony on Wednesday night. The police suspect financial disputes within the family triggered the incident.
Deceased and Hospitalized
Vikas Batish (40) and his 11-year-old daughter Khushi died during treatment. Batish's wife Tamanna (36) and their 14-year-old son Kanav remain under medical care at Government Rajindra Hospital.
Civil Lines SHO Vinarpreet Singh said the police received information late Wednesday night that four family members had been admitted after consuming poison. A police team reached the hospital and began investigation. The duty magistrate was called and statements were recorded in his presence.
Financial Disputes and Unemployment
Preliminary inquiry suggests the family had been facing financial disputes for some time. Batish, a former private bank officer, had been unemployed and reportedly troubled by financial issues.
The police said the magistrate recorded the wife's statement and that post-mortem examinations of the deceased had been conducted.
Loan Arrangement and Suicide Note
Batish, who lived in rented accommodation, had arranged a loan of Rs 55 lakh for a close relative, who later refused to pay the instalments. The victim's wife reportedly gave a statement to a magistrate, following which the police were in the process of registering a case.
It was learnt that on Wednesday evening, Batish mixed poison in juice. He consumed it first and later offered it to his wife and children.
Sources said the house owner discovered the incident when commotion began after the condition of all four started deteriorating. Local residents gathered around the house and found a suicide note, which prompted them to inform the police. All four were rushed to the hospital.
