CHENNAI: A 45-year-old businessman and his wife died of suspected suicide after killing their two sons at their villa at Injambakkam near Neelankarai on Wednesday morning due to debt trouble caused by business loss.
The deceased were identified as J Siranjeevi Dhamothara Gupta (45), who ran a CCTV showroom on Mount Road, his wife S Revathi (36), and sons S Rithvik (15) and S Dhithich Ashwa (11). Preliminary investigations revealed that Revathi and the children had died of asphyxiation.
A suicide note, purportedly signed by Siranjeevi and Revathi, stated that no one was responsible for their deaths and they had taken the extreme step as they were unable to repay their loans.
‘Siranjeevi had taken loans to support biz’
Police said Siranjeevi had been struggling with financial difficulties for nearly a decade and had borrowed substantial amounts to sustain his business. His bank and loan records are being examined to ascertain the total value of his liabilities.
According to police sources, Siranjeevi transferred Rs 2 lakh to two individuals, including his brother, earlier on Wednesday. When his brother was unable to reach him over phone, he alerted relatives.
They rushed to the house and found the family dead. Speaking to TNIE, Siranjeevi’s brother said, “He never mentioned anything about his financial troubles. If he had, I would have offered help. We are completely shaken.”
(Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on TN’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)