Synopsis
In a tragic incident, a doctor, his wife, and their two sons were found dead in Chennai. Financial struggles due to losses of Rs 5 crore in his diagnostic scan business appear to be a contributing factor.Key Takeaways
- Doctor and family found deceased in Chennai.
- Financial losses of Rs 5 crore cited as a cause.
- Children were preparing for exams.
- Suicide rates highlight a public health crisis.
- Awareness of mental health is essential.
Chennai, March 13 (NationPress) Authorities investigating the tragic deaths of a doctor, his spouse, and their two sons have disclosed that he faced losses exceeding Rs 5 crore in his diagnostic scanning enterprise.
It is worth noting that the well-known physician, his lawyer partner, and their two sons were discovered hanging from the ceiling of their residence in Anna Nagar West, Chennai, on Thursday morning.
Police reports indicate that the deceased have been identified as Dr. Balamurugan, his wife Sumathi, and their children, Dasvanth (17) and Lingesh (15).
Preliminary investigations suggest that financial challenges may have compelled them to end their lives.
Dr. Balamurugan, who operated a diagnostic scan center, had reportedly experienced severe financial setbacks, resulting in substantial debts.
His wife, Sumathi, was a practicing attorney in the city court.
Their elder son, Dasvanth, was preparing for his Class XII Board exams, while the younger son, Lingesh, was enrolled in Class X.
The heartbreaking discovery occurred on Thursday morning when their driver came to their home.
After receiving no answer from the family, he alerted neighbors.
Upon peering through the windows, they observed the family members hanging.
Dr. Balamurugan and Sumathi were found in one room, while their sons were in another.
Upon receiving the information, the local police hastily arrived at the scene and retrieved the bodies.
The remains were subsequently sent to Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital for autopsy.
Suicide continues to be a significant public health concern in India. Statistics from 2022-23 reveal that Maharashtra recorded the highest number of suicides in the country (22,746), followed by Tamil Nadu (19,834) and Madhya Pradesh (15,386).
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal accounted for nearly half of the total suicides reported nationwide.
Conversely, Nagaland reported the fewest cases, with only 41.
Psychologist and social worker Dr. Suchitra V. Menon, speaking to IANS, stressed the need for mental health awareness.
“Many individuals contemplating suicide suffer in silence. Had they confided in friends or family, solutions might have been discovered.
“Increased awareness is crucial to help people realize that suicide is not the solution,” she stated. She also pointed out that Tamil Nadu remains among the top four states with the highest suicide rates and urged for enhanced awareness campaigns to tackle the issue.
