Family Suicide Pact: Four Graduates and Their Father Found Dead Amid Emotional Struggles

The tragic deaths of Heera Lal Sharma and his four daughters in Vasant Kunj have left the community in shock. The family, who had become reclusive after the passing of Sharma's wife last August, was reportedly dealing with emotional and financial difficulties. The bodies were discovered on a Friday afternoon, although they had died several days earlier.

Sharma, 46, had worked as a carpenter at the Indian Spinal Injury Centre for 28 years but stopped working in January. His daughters—Neetu, 26; Nikki, 24; Neeru, 23; and Nidhi, 20—were found in their rented home. The police suspect a suicide pact but have not found any note. Investigations are ongoing to explore all possibilities.

Religious Devotion and Family Dynamics

The family was known for their religious devotion. Sharma was a follower of Lord Hanuman and observed fasts every Tuesday. They performed daily prayers and avoided garlic and onion in their meals. A CCTV recording from September 24 shows Sharma entering the building with sweets, which the police believe were consumed along with poison that day.

Inside the house, three packets of celphos poison, five glasses, and a spoon with a suspicious liquid were found. The daughters' bodies were discovered on a bed in one room, while Sharma's body was in another room. No signs of foul play or injuries were detected on the bodies.

Community Reactions and Family Background

Gudiya Sharma, Heera Lal's sister-in-law, described the daughters as sweet-natured and academically accomplished. All four were graduates in various fields. Neeru lost her eyesight in 2016 due to medical issues and relied heavily on her father. Gudiya expressed disbelief over their deaths and mentioned that the family had become isolated after Kanta Devi's death.

Neighbours like Amarjeet Singh noted that Sharma rarely interacted with others. Many were unaware he had four daughters as they seldom left the house. Singh recalled seeing Sharma doing household chores like washing clothes for his daughters.

The police are examining Sharma's financial situation and have seized two mobile phones from the residence. Gudiya mentioned that despite having a television, the daughters showed no interest in watching it. They shared one mobile phone among themselves.

Ongoing Investigation

Inquest proceedings under section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been initiated by the police. A medical board has been set up to conduct post-mortem examinations scheduled for Monday. The investigation continues as authorities delve into various aspects of the case to uncover more details surrounding this tragic incident.