Changed locations, suicide notes: How Mittal family’s final hours unfolded in Panchkula

PANCHKULA: Police investigations into Panchkula mass suicide case have revealed that the Mittal family may have initially planned to end their lives at Dr B R Ambedkar Bhawan in Sector 12-A before ultimately choosing Sector 27 as their final location.Analysis of CCTV footage showed that after departing from their Saketri residence on Monday morning, the family checked into two rooms at Ambedkar Bhawan."We suspect their original intention was to end their lives at the bhawan, but circumstances led them to alter their plans. They departed from the premises at 6.35 pm," a police official confirmed. "Contrary to earlier reports, they did not attend any religious gathering in Sector 5. They proceeded directly to Sector 27, where they parked their vehicle in a residential area before taking the fatal step," the official said.Police teams have been deployed to various locations in Dehradun and Panchkula for investigation. "Although initial evidence suggests no foul play, we are investigating his activities over the past six months to one year," another official noted. While postmortem examinations indicate simultaneous deaths, the viscera report remains pending to determine the exact cause.Investigators noted that the family had maintained minimal contact with relatives for four to five years, suggesting significant financial obligations. Given the limited information from family members about their recent circumstances, police face extensive investigative work to understand the deceased family's situation.On Monday night, bodies of Praveen Mittal's father Deshraj Mittal (70), mother Bimla (66), wife Reena Mittal (40), son Hardik (13), and twin daughters Dilasha and Dhruvita (11) were found in their vehicle parked in Sector 27, while Praveen was found semi-conscious, but later died during CPR at the civil hospital. Two suicide notes attributed to Praveen Mittal cited financial bankruptcy as the reason, without holding anyone responsible.The family resided in Saketri after relocating from Pinjore, Kharar, and Dehradun. Praveen's financial difficulties included a failed scrap-material processing facility in Baddi, an unsuccessful tour and travel venture in Dehradun and eventually working as a driver in Panchkula, accumulating debts worth several crores.