A heart-wrenching incident has shaken the temple town of Srirangam in Trichy, where a family of four was found dead in a pilgrims' accommodation. The deceased, an elderly couple and their two adult daughters, are believed to have died by suicide, driven by profound anxiety over the future care of the daughters who had intellectual disabilities.
Discovery of the Deceased
The grim discovery was made on Friday at the Yatri Nivas pilgrims' lodge. Staff members were alerted by a foul smell emanating from one of the rooms. Upon forcing open the door, they found the bodies of all four family members in an advanced state of decomposition. The family had originally checked into the accommodation on December 10, with a booking until December 14. However, they had extended their stay without formally checking out, leading to the delayed discovery.
Identities and Background of the Family
The police identified the deceased as 67-year-old T Saminathan, a retired electrician, his 65-year-old wife S Senbagavalli, and their daughters 41-year-old Bhavani and 32-year-old Jeeva. The family hailed from Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district. Investigations revealed that both daughters suffered from intellectual disabilities. The elder daughter, Bhavani, had returned to live with her parents after a brief marriage that ended in divorce.
A suicide note left at the scene provided a tragic insight into the motive. It stated that Saminathan, overwhelmed by his old age and consumed by worry about who would care for his vulnerable daughters after he and his wife were gone, made the extreme decision. Preliminary findings suggest the family consumed sleeping pills to end their lives.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Srirangam police swiftly responded to the scene. They retrieved the bodies and sent them to the Trichy General Hospital for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for unnatural death. Further inquiries are ongoing to piece together the final days of the family and corroborate the details found in the note.
This tragedy has cast a pall over the local community and highlights the desperate plight of families caring for dependents with disabilities, often without adequate systemic support. It underscores the critical need for accessible social welfare and mental health interventions for vulnerable groups and their caregivers.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. Assistance is available on Tamil Nadu's health helpline 104 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.
