Dubai, Jan 15 (Emirates 24 x 7): An Asian man and his daughter were found dead inside their apartment in Dubai while his wife was in critical condition after slashing her veins in an apparent mass suicide, a senior police officer said on Sunday.
Police found the man hanged by the ceiling in his flat and his little daughter dead in her room without any immediate signs that caused her death.
The man’s wife was found in the bathroom screaming hysterically after slashing her veins and hospital sources said she was in critical condition.
“We are investigating the motives behind this mass suicide,” said Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansoori, head of the Criminal Investigation Department.
According to neighbours of the family that lived in Flat No.3 on the second floor of Building No. 44 behind Al Mussalla Tower near Old Pakistan Consulate area, Rijesh and his six-year-old daughter Avanti were found dead in the apartment after relatives failed to contact them on their mobile phones or land line.
Sreesha is recovering in hospital.The couple were in their thirties.
“We are shocked. They went to see DSF fireworks. Yesterday night, they went to a nearby grocery and bought milk, bread and other daily necessities,” said a neighbour.
The family had been living in the same apartment for more than four years and neighours and friends could not see any reason for their suicide.
“A suicide note has been found. We heard screams from the apartment in the morning. Rijesh was found dead, hanging at the end of a red plastic rope from the ceiling fan. We don’t know the reason for their suicide or even if it is a suicide.
The family appeared to be quite happy,” one of the neighbours said.
Bur Dubai police is guarding the building. The bodies have been removed.
Meanwhile, another neighbour said: "Bur Dubai Police came to the building after relatives suspected that something was wrong with the family. Some neighbours told relatives that they heard screams from the flat and so the relatives started enquiring.
Also the six-year old child did not turn up for her daily tuition class. We called the police and the room was broken open to find the man hanging from the ceiling fan.
There was no response from the mobile phone of Rijesh and the family’s land phone was kept in the engaged position."
According to one of deceased's relative, Rijesh was working in a Dubai Airport Free Zone company and had swtiched over to National Panasonic a few months ago.
His wife is working for Al Riyami Group of Companies.
Their child was a student of Our Own Indian School, Dubai. They said the family did not seem to have any problems.
“Recently Rijesh had gone to India, purchased a new vehicle and started building a house. He came back after laying the foundation of his house,” a relative said.
Many distressed Indians in the UAE have killed themselves, the latest case being reported from Ras Al Khaimah, where a full family committed suicide due to financial problems.
The reason for the latest suicide is yet to be officially released.