Lucknow, June 4 (IANS): Unable to clear his debt, a trader in Bulandshahr district allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison while his wife and two sons are battling for their lives in a hospital, police said on Thursday.

The family of four living at Nawalpur in Kakrala region of Bulandshahr district consumed poison on late Wednesday, but this came to light only on Thursday morning.

Police said that Arun Tayal, 38, was suspected to have mixed poison in the dinner he had along with his wife Anjali and sons Anshit and Shubham on Wednesday night.

Soon after consuming food, the family members started vomiting and fell unconscious. Hours later on Thursday, neighbours came to know of the poisoning when the family failed to respond to knocks on the door.

All the four were rushed to a hospital, where Tayal was pronounced brought dead. His wife and sons were critical, an official told IANS.

The trader's body has been sent for post-mortem examination.