A suspected case of mass suicide in Surat’s upscale Vesu locality has resulted in the deaths of three members of a family after they allegedly consumed pesticide, with investigators pointing to financial distress and alleged harassment linked to money recovery as the possible trigger. The incident occurred at the Happy Elegance residential building, where Balamukund Khetan reportedly ingested poison along with his wife and two daughters.
Police said Khetan died at the scene, while his wife and one daughter later succumbed to their condition during treatment at a hospital. The younger daughter survived and remains admitted in intensive care, where she continues to receive medical treatment. Preliminary findings indicate that the substance consumed was an agricultural pesticide.
During a search of the residence, officers recovered a three-page suicide note in which the family allegedly described prolonged mental harassment and pressure from a man identified as Vaibhav Rungta over financial recovery issues. According to the note, the accused had allegedly taken possession of Khetan’s car and credit card and used the card for purchases, adding to the family’s financial and psychological strain.
Balamukund Khetan, originally from Bihar, had been working from home in share market trading for the past two years. A family friend, Sanjay Agarwal, said he received a distress call from one of Khetan’s daughters informing him that her father had collapsed. He immediately alerted family members and rushed to the residence, after which the victims were transported to Green Leaf Hospital for emergency treatment.
Relatives travelled from Bihar after learning about the incident. Khetan’s sister stated that the circumstances described in the suicide note should be thoroughly investigated to determine responsibility. Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father-in-law, and further inquiry is underway to verify the allegations mentioned in the note.
Authorities said emergency services were deployed soon after the Police Control Room received information about the incident. Investigators are now examining financial records, statements from relatives and acquaintances, and other evidence to establish the sequence of events and determine whether criminal liability arises from the alleged harassment.
