Chennai: A tragic incident occurred in Anna Nagar West, Chennai, where a doctor, his wife, and their two sons were discovered dead at their home on Thursday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Dr. Balamurugan, his wife Sumathi, and their sons Dasvanth, 17, and Lingesh, 15. Initial investigations indicate that financial difficulties may have contributed to their decision to take their own lives.
Dr. Balamurugan owned a diagnostic scan center and had reportedly faced severe financial setbacks, accumulating significant debts. Sumathi was a practicing lawyer, while their elder son, Dasvanth, was preparing for his Class 12 board exams, and Lingesh was studying in Class 10.
The tragic incident came to light when their driver arrived at the house and, receiving no response, alerted neighbors. Upon looking through the window, they saw the family members hanging: Dr. Balamurugan and Sumathi in one room, and their sons in another.
The police were promptly informed and responded to the scene, recovering the bodies and sending them to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Suicide continues to be a significant public health concern in India. Recent data indicates that Maharashtra leads the nation in suicide rates, with Tamil Nadu following closely. Together with Karnataka and West Bengal, these states account for nearly half of all reported suicides across the country. In contrast, Nagaland reported the lowest number, with just 41 cases.
Psychologist and social worker Dr. Suchitra V. Menon commented on the situation, stressing the need for greater mental health awareness. “Many individuals struggling with mental health issues keep their feelings hidden. If they had reached out for help, potential solutions could have been discovered. We need more awareness campaigns to convey that suicide is not the solution,” she stated, noting that Tamil Nadu remains among the states with the highest suicide rates.