5 of trader's family found dead in Gorakhpur, Suicide suspected

Four members of a local trader's family, facing demands for repayment of loans from money lenders, were found dead on Sunday morning, while a fifth one died in the hospital during treatment.

Police said trader Ramesh Gupta's body was found near the railway tracks at Surajkund overbridge, while those of his wife Sarita (45), daughter Payal (15) and son Ayush (10) were found at his home Sahebganj area under Rajghat police station area of the district.

The trader's elder daughter Rachna (20) too was found unconscious in the house and was rushed to BRD Medical College here, where she died during the treatment a few hours later, police said.

Senior police officer Sunil Kumar Gupta said, "Before dying, Rachna Gupta said all of the family members had consumed poison. There was a lot of pressure on the family members, due to huge loans taken."

"The food which the family consumed last night contained poison. Ramesh Gupta went towards railway track to kill himself," Mr Gupta quoted Rachna as saying before her death.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, said police, adding the matter is being probed.

Local residents said Ramesh Gupta had taken huge loans and had been facing persistent demands from money lenders to clear his dues.

He was also facing losses in business and used to remain disturbed, they said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, expressed "deep sorrow" over the death of trader's family.

-PTI