Daijiworld Media Network – Pimpri
Pimpri, Aug 2: A 50-year-old man died while his wife and 19-year-old daughter remain in critical condition after the family allegedly attempted suicide by inhaling toxic fumes at their rented residence in Pimpri, Maharashtra, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Vinod Pillai (50). His wife, Sirja Pillai (45), and daughter, Purnima Pillai (19), are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital.
The incident came to light after Sirja, who works as a coordinator at a reputed English-medium school in Morwadi, failed to report for duty. Her colleagues made repeated attempts to contact her but received no response. They then informed the family's relatives, who were also unable to reach them.
A concerned relative later visited the family's apartment and found the door unlocked. On entering the house, the relative found all three family members unconscious and alerted the police. They were rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared Vinod dead before treatment.
During a spot inspection, police recovered a suicide note, a bottle containing a toxic chemical, and a utensil with burnt charcoal. Investigators suspect the family generated poisonous fumes by pouring the chemical onto burning charcoal and inhaled the smoke in an apparent suicide attempt.
According to police, the suicide note, allegedly written by Vinod, stated that the family had taken the extreme step due to severe financial distress and requested that no one be held responsible for their deaths.
Police have seized the mobile phones of all three family members. Senior Inspector Suhas Avhad said investigators suspect the family may have searched online for information related to suicide before carrying out the act.
The investigation further revealed that Vinod had allegedly ordered a restricted toxic chemical online on June 1. Police are probing how the substance was procured despite regulatory restrictions on its sale.
Preliminary findings suggest the family remained awake until late at night, with Purnima reportedly active on social media around 2.30 am. Police believe the family carried out the act shortly afterwards by inhaling the toxic fumes.
Investigators said the family was academically accomplished. Vinod had studied Computer Science at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, while Purnima was a second-year Computer Science student at ASM College in Chinchwad. Sirja was employed as a school coordinator.
Police said Vinod had worked with Don Bosco until November 2024. The family had earlier owned a flat in Nehrunagar but was forced to sell it around three years ago due to mounting financial difficulties.
Police have registered a case and are continuing the investigation into the incident.