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Chennai: A devastating incident has shaken the quiet neighborhood of Anna Nagar West in Chennai, where a family of four, including a doctor, his lawyer wife, and their two teenage sons, were found dead in their residence on Thursday morning.1
The deceased have been identified as Dr. Balamurugan, owner of a diagnostic scan center, his wife Sumathi, and their sons, Dasvanth (17) and Lingesh (15). Preliminary police investigations suggest that financial distress may have been the catalyst for this tragic event.2 Dr. Balamurugan was reportedly burdened with significant debts following substantial financial losses.3
Sumathi, his wife, was a practicing lawyer at the city court.4 Their elder son, Dasvanth, was preparing for his Class 12 board examinations, while Lingesh was a Class 10 student.
The grim discovery was made when the family’s driver arrived at their home on Thursday morning. After receiving no response, he alerted neighbors, who, upon peering through a window, witnessed the horrifying scene of the family members deceased. Dr. Balamurugan and Sumathi were found in one room, and their sons in another.
The Chennai city police swiftly responded to the scene, recovering the bodies and sending them to Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital for post-mortem examination.5
This tragedy underscores the persistent issue of suicide in India. According to national data, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of suicides (22,746), followed by Tamil Nadu (19,834) and Madhya Pradesh (15,386). These four states, including Karnataka and West Bengal, account for nearly half of the total suicides reported nationwide. In contrast, Nagaland recorded the lowest number, with only 41 cases.
Psychologist and social worker Dr. Suchitra V. Menon, speaking to IANS, emphasized the critical need for increased mental health awareness. “Many individuals who take their own lives keep their struggles to themselves. If they had shared their problems with friends or family, solutions might have been found. More awareness is needed to help people understand that suicide is not the answer,” she stated. She also highlighted Tamil Nadu’s concerning position among the top four states with the highest suicide rates, calling for intensified awareness campaigns to address this pressing issue.
Disclaimer: This article contains information about suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. You can contact mental health professionals or suicide prevention helplines. In India, you can contact the following helpline numbers: 1800-599-0019 (iCall), 022-27546669 (AASRA). There are always people who care and want to help.
