Pune family inhales toxic fumes in suicide bid over financial distress, man dies

A man died and his wife and daughter were left critical after the family inhaled toxic fumes in Maharashtra's Pimpri. Investigators found a note citing financial distress and are probing the online purchase of a restricted chemical.

In Short

• Suicide note cites severe financial distress as reason for act
• Poisonous fumes made by burning chemical and charcoal inhale
• Police probe online purchase of toxic chemical and family background

A 50-year-old man died while his wife and 19-year-old daughter remain in critical condition after the family attempted suicide by inhaling toxic fumes at their residence in Maharashtra's Pimpri, police said.

The victim has been identified as Vinod Pillai (50), while his wife, Sirja Pillai (45), and daughter, Purnima Pillai (19), are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) in hospital.

According to police, the incident came to light after Sirja, who works as a coordinator at a reputed English-medium school in Morwadi, failed to report to work. Her colleagues repeatedly tried contacting her but received no response. They then informed the family's relatives, who were also unable to establish contact.

Concerned, a relative visited the family's rented apartment and found the door unlocked. Upon entering the house, the relative found all three family members unconscious. Police were alerted and rushed them to hospital, where doctors declared Vinod dead before treatment.

During the 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 before inhaling the smoke.

The suicide note, written by Vinod, said 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 also seized the mobile phones of all three family members. Senior Inspector Suhas Avhad said investigators suspect they may have searched online for information related to suicide before carrying out the act.

The investigation has further revealed that Vinod had ordered a restricted toxic chemical online on June 1. Police are probing how the substance was procured despite regulatory restrictions on its sale.

Preliminary investigation suggests 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.

Police said the family was academically accomplished. Vinod 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.

Investigators said Vinod had worked with Don Bosco until November 2024. The family had previously owned a flat in Nehrunagar but was forced to sell it around three years ago due to mounting financial difficulties.

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