In a heartbreaking incident in Panchkula, Haryana, seven members of a family were found in a semi-conscious state inside a car late Monday night. They were later declared dead, with police suspecting suicide due to financial distress and psychological issues. The deceased have been identified as Praveen Mittal, his wife Reena, their three children—twin daughters Dhruvika and Dalisha (11), and son Hardik (14)—along with Mittal’s parents, Deshraj and Vimla.
According to the Panchkula police, preliminary investigations indicate that the cause of death was poisoning, and the case appears to be a suicide. Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Himadree Kaushik and Assistant Commissioner Vikram Nehra, visited the site and the hospital. DCP Kaushik said, “Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide due to financial debt and psychological issues. We are recording statements from relatives and investigating from all angles.”
The police received a distress call around midnight reporting a suspiciously parked Hyundai car in Sector 27. Emergency Response Vehicles reached the scene and found the occupants in a critical condition. All were rushed to Ojas Hospital but could not be saved.
Praveen Mittal had reportedly been running a tours and travels agency in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, which failed and led to severe financial losses. A two-page handwritten note was recovered from the car, in which Mittal admitted responsibility for the deaths. The note read: “I have gone bankrupt. I am responsible for all this. My father-in-law should not be harassed. The last rites of my family members shall be performed by my cousin.”
A local resident named Harsh, who first noticed the car, told police he became suspicious after seeing a towel covering the rear windshield. Upon inspecting the vehicle, he found all occupants unresponsive and noticed signs of vomiting. Harsh managed to pull one person—later identified as Praveen Mittal—out of the vehicle. Mittal, though semi-conscious and trembling, admitted that he and his family had consumed poison. Harsh immediately called the police, who responded promptly.
Further statements from relatives painted a grim picture of Praveen’s financial troubles. His father-in-law, Rakesh Gupta, revealed that Praveen had taken a loan of about ₹1 crore, which he failed to repay, resulting in him being declared a proclaimed offender by the bank. Gupta also mentioned that he had been financially supporting his daughter Reena and that the family had been living in a rented flat in Mansa Devi Complex.
Reena’s sister, Rakhi Gupta, confirmed the family’s recent move to Panchkula and said the children had been enrolled in a school in Chandigarh. Praveen’s cousin, Sandeep Aggarwal, added that Praveen had earlier run a scrap-material processing factory in Panchkula and had shifted to Dehradun about five years ago. He was last known to be operating a taxi business and was under immense financial pressure.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and underscores the devastating impact of financial distress and mental health challenges. The police continue to investigate the matter from all possible angles.
