Four Tourists From Andhra Pradesh Found Dead In Varanasi Ashram, Suicide Suspected

Four tourists from Andhra Pradesh were found dead in a Varanasi ashram in Uttar Pradesh, prompting initial investigations suggesting a collective suicide. The tourists purportedly ended their lives by hanging in a room they occupied on the third floor of Kashi Bhavan in Andhra Ashram under the Dashashwamedh police station, as confirmed by the police on Thursday.

Varanasi's Police Commissioner, Mutha Ashok Jain, revealed that all the victims, belonging to the same family, had been residing in the ashram since December 3.

"It seems to be a collective suicide, and they have been lodged here since 3rd December. Initially, it appears that they chose to end their lives due to personal reasons," Jain informed reporters.

Their extended stay in the room beyond checkout raised concern when they didn't emerge until Thursday evening. A staff member of the building ascended to their floor, knocked on their door, and, receiving no response, peered through a window to discover four bodies hanging inside, as stated by the police.

The staff promptly informed the manager, who in turn alerted the police. Assistant Commissioner of Police Awadhesh Pandey, accompanied by a police team, swiftly arrived at the scene upon receiving the notification.

Jain confirmed the recovery of a suicide note at the site.

"From the content of the suicide note, it's apparent that financial issues may have been a contributing factor," he added.

The deceased, comprising three males and one female, hailed from East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh and had arrived in Varanasi on December 3. They were identified as Konda Babu (50), Lavnya (45), Rajesh (25), and Jairaj (25).

The bodies were forwarded for post-mortem examination, and an ongoing investigation aims to ascertain the precise circumstances leading to this tragic incident, according to the police.