CHENNAI: A family of seven, including four children, allegedly attempted to kill themselves at their residence at Chemmenchery on Thursday night. Police said those who tried to commit suicide includedan elderly man, his two daughters and their children.
“As it was one of the children’s birthday a few days ago, they decided to have a family get-together at the older daughter’s house in Chennai,” said the investigating officer. “The younger daughter travelled with her two girls from Andhra Pradesh to join in the celebrations while her father too made it a point to be present.”
The older daughter’s husband went out on an errand and it was then that the incident occurred. All seven are believed to have consumed soft drinks that were laced with poison. As the older daughter was running a hostel for women, some of the inmates immediately rushed the family to a hospital and intimated police.
“The women were not talking much so it is hard to tell exactly what happened that night,” said the investigating officer. “It seems like they had lost the will to live. We have been asking neighbours and friends. So far everyone is appearing equally shocked as it doesn’t seem like they were undergoing any financial or marital problems.”
While two persons have been admitted to a private hospital at Perungudi, the other five are recuperating in a private hospital on Greams Road. Police confirmed that while the rest are out of danger, the elderly person is still critical.