Surat: Three members of a family — including a share trader, his wife, and their elder daughter — died by suicide at their apartment in a posh Vesu locality. The incident came to light after the victim left behind a suicide note alleging prolonged harassment by a man, police said.The deceased were identified as Balmukund Khetan, his wife Priyanka Khetan, and their nine-year-old daughter Bhavya Khetan. The family lived at Happy Elegance society. The couple’s younger daughter, Pathvi (7), survived.According to police, on Tuesday evening Priyanka called her father, Sanjay Agrawal, a textile trader, and informed him that Khetan had consumed pesticide. When Agrawal rushed to the apartment, he found all four family members unconscious. Neighbours alerted emergency services, and medical teams reached the spot. Khetan was declared dead, while the other three were shifted to a private hospital, where Priyanka and Bhavya later succumbed during treatment.Police recovered a suicide note in which Khetan alleged harassment by Vaibhav Roongta. The note claimed that Roongta had used Khetan’s credit card to purchase clothes, a mobile phone, and other items, withdrawn cash, and borrowed a two-wheeler that was never returned. When Khetan reportedly demanded repayment and the return of the vehicle, Roongta allegedly threatened and harassed him.Based on a complaint filed by Agrawal, Vesu police registered a case of abetment to suicide and criminal intimidation and launched an investigation.During the probe, police also found that Khetan had mentioned his pet dog in the suicide note, expressing concern about its future and suggesting arrangements for its rehabilitation. Investigators further learnt that Roongta visited the victim’s residence after learning about the incident.“We are yet to arrest the accused. Statements of family members, friends and neighbours are being recorded to understand the nature of the relationship between the victim and the accused. We are also examining financial transactions, call detail records, and other possible angles,” a police officer said.
