Mass suicide in Maharashtra: Police says it's a murder plot

Investigations into the deaths of nine members of the family of two brothers in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, which was suspected to be a case of suicide earlier, revealed that the deceased were allegedly poisoned to death by a “mantrik” and his driver, the police said on Monday (June 27). The accused duo has now been arrested, the police further said.

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The bodies were found in the houses of the siblings, one a teacher and the other a veterinarian, around a kilometre apart in Mhaisal village on June 20, with an initial police probe pointing towards a suicide pact possibly from distress due to massive debts and harassment by lenders.

“We have arrested a mantrik and his driver for murder. Investigations have revealed these two people had allegedly poisoned to death nine members of the family,” said Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur Range) Manoj Kumar Lohiya.

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A police official said section 302 (Punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will be invoked.

(With inputs from agencies)