Threatened by debt collectors, Andhra couple, two sons die by suicide in UP's Varanasi

An Andhra family of four including a couple and their two sons died by suicide in Varanasi on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Konda Baaboo (50), his wife Laavanya (45), and their sons Rajesh (25), and Jayaraaj (23). The family had come to Kashi for a pilgrimage but according to the suicide note found near the bodies, they were receiving death threats for failing to repay a loan.

Varanasi: A family of four from Andhra Pradesh allegedly died by suicide in the Dharamshala area in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Thursday evening. The bodies of three men and one woman were found in a rented room in the Devnathpur area in the jurisdiction of Dashashwamedh police station.

The deceased were identified as Konda Baaboo (50), his wife Laavanya (45), and their sons Rajesh (25), and Jayaraaj (23). They had arrived in Varanasi on Sunday. A member of the housekeeping staff had spotted the bodies and informed the police. The police authorities promptly arrived at the scene, forcefully opened the door and took the bodies in their possession.

An investigation into the deaths was launched with police probing what led the family to take the extreme step. A suicide note written in Telugu was also found near the bodies in which the family had revealed how they were getting death threats after failing to repay a loan. The family was supposed to leave Varanasi on Thursday. Varanasi Police also contacted Andhra Pradesh Police in the matter.

Helplines: If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 9152987821, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.