PANCHKULA, HARYANA – May 27, 2025
A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in Panchkula late Monday night when seven members of a single family, including three children, were found dead in their car in an apparent mass suicide. Preliminary investigations and a suicide note point towards an insurmountable Panchkula family suicide debt crisis as the cause behind this devastating step.
The deceased have been identified as Praveen Mittal, his wife Reena, his mother Vimla, father Deshraj, twin daughters Himshikha and Dalisha (11), and son Hardik (14). The family resided in a rented house in Panchkula’s Mansa Devi Complex.
According to police, the incident came to light around 10:30 PM on Monday, May 26, when Harsh, a resident of Sector 27, noticed a Hyundai Aura car parked outside his house with people inside. “My landlord was taking a stroll and saw the car. When he looked closer, he saw several people and called me,” Harsh recounted to the police.
Harsh stated that one person in the car, who identified himself as Praveen Mittal, was initially alive but disoriented, while others were unconscious. “He said they had come to Sector 5 to attend Dhirendra Shastri’s Katha and couldn’t find a hotel, so they slept in the car,” Harsh added. However, upon noticing vomit inside the car and Praveen’s trembling state, Harsh suspected poisoning. Praveen reportedly admitted, “We are heavily in debt. We have committed suicide.”
The police were immediately informed via dial 112. Praveen Mittal was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead by doctors.
A two-page suicide note recovered from the vehicle, purportedly written by Praveen Mittal, stated, “I am bankrupt. Everything that has happened is because of me. Please do not trouble my father-in-law. All last rites should be performed by my maternal cousin.” The note is currently with police officials who are investigating individuals mentioned in it.
The devastating Panchkula family suicide debt crisis appears to have roots in business failures and escalating financial burdens. Praveen Mittal, originally from Barwala in Hisar, had reportedly taken a loan of approximately ₹1 crore about ten years ago for his business, according to his father-in-law, Rakesh Gupta. Mittal then moved to Dehradun with his family and started a tour and travels business, which incurred significant losses. Gupta mentioned that the family had not been in regular contact for about 10 years but had recently returned to Panchkula, and he had assisted them with accommodation.
Rakhi Gupta, Praveen Mittal’s sister-in-law, revealed that Praveen had been declared an absconder by the bank due to non-repayment of the loan.
Sandeep Agarwal, Praveen Mittal’s maternal cousin, provided further insight, stating that Praveen had shifted from Hisar to Panchkula about 12 years ago and initially had a scrap factory. After moving to Dehradun, his debts reportedly mounted to around ₹20 crore, and he had allegedly been receiving death threats. Agarwal mentioned that Praveen was currently working as a taxi driver and that they had spoken just five days prior to the incident.
Police investigations also revealed that the family had lived in a rented house in Kaulagarh, Dehradun, until about 7-8 months ago. The Hyundai Aura car (HR03 X 4328) in which the family was found is registered in the name of Gambhir Singh Negi, a Dehradun resident. Negi informed police that he met Praveen Mittal in connection with an NGO named “Child Life Care Mission,” which Praveen ran. Due to their friendship, Negi had financed the car in his name and given it to Praveen.
The Panchkula police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination and are conducting further investigations into the Panchkula family suicide debt crisis, including questioning individuals named in the suicide note and examining the financial records of the deceased. This tragic event highlights the severe pressures faced by families under financial distress.