Two people — a 39-year-old laboratory technician and a 24-year-old schoolteacher — were found dead at a rented accommodation in the Sadar Bazar area of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday night, 2 July 2025. Police said preliminary findings suggest the two may have died by suicide, reportedly due to family opposition to their relationship, though the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed pending post-mortem and forensic reports.

How the Bodies Were Discovered

According to Saharanpur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manoj Yadav, police received information that a person had locked his room from inside and was not responding despite repeated requests to open the door. 'We received information that a person had locked his room from inside and was not opening the door despite repeatedly being asked to do so. Upon reaching the place we looked in from the window and since the situation was suspicious, we broke open the door in the presence of the neighbours,' ASP Yadav said. Forensic experts were subsequently called to the site for a detailed examination.

Who the Deceased Were

The man has been identified as Sam Kamanish, a native of Kerala who had been working as a laboratory technician at Medigram Hospital in Saharanpur for the past ten years. The woman, identified as Aastha, was a resident of the Gagalheri area and worked as a teacher at a private intermediate college. According to police, the two had first met approximately four years ago when Aastha's mother was undergoing treatment at Medigram Hospital, and their acquaintance gradually developed into a romantic relationship. Police noted that Sam was already married, though his wife had reportedly moved to Delhi several years ago for work.

Manner of Death and Forensic Findings

ASP Yadav said Sam had slit his wrist and partially hung himself from the window of the room, while Aastha had most probably consumed a poisonous substance. 'There are no wounds on the female's body,' he added. Police stressed that the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem report and forensic evidence are examined.

How Police Traced the Couple

On Wednesday morning, Aastha had left home for college but did not arrive at her workplace. When she failed to return by evening, her family began searching for her and informed police. Aastha's father expressed suspicion that Sam might be involved, prompting an investigation. CCTV footage from the hospital reportedly showed the two leaving together in a car, and with the help of the car's driver, police traced them to Sam's rented accommodation later that night.

Current Status of Investigation

Both bodies were sent for post-mortem examination. Aastha's body has been handed over to her family, while authorities are awaiting the arrival of Sam's relatives from Kerala before releasing his body. Officials said all possible angles are being investigated, and the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths will become clear after the investigation and post-mortem findings are complete.