Unable to repay loans, family of 3 set themselves ablaze, dies

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a shocking incident, a family of three allegedly committed suicide by immolating themselves at their residence near HSR Layout in the city. The deceased were identified by the police as Satosh Kumar, 54, his wife Oman Santosh, 50 and their daughter Sanusha, 18.

The jurisdictional police said that the family hails from Kerala and had been staying in the city for over a decade now. The incident came to light on Friday around 5:45 am when several neighbours noticed dense smoke coming out of their house.

Immediately, the police were alerted, who soon rushed to the spot and along with the neighbours attempted to break the door of the house, which was reportedly locked from inside. Speaking to News Trail, the police said that due to the raging fire, the cops and the people could not break the door and had to wait for fire officials.

However, until the officials from the Fire and Emergency Services joined the operation, the family was found charred to death. After an inspection, the police suspected that the family had poured kerosene over themselves before setting the fire. No suicide note has been found so far, police added.

It was revealed that Santosh Kumar had recently started a machinery and tool manufacturing unit in Bommanahalli which ran into a loss and he was trapped under heavy debt. It is suspected that he was unable to repay the loans, and the family must have resorted to suicide. The police have booked a case under section 306 of IPC (abettment to suicide) and are further probing the case.