Why Did a Family in Vadodara Attempt Mass Suicide Over Debt?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Family's attempt to end their lives due to debt.
- Significant financial distress reported in Gujarat.
- Surge in mass suicides across various districts.
- Need for mental health support and financial education.
- Ongoing investigations into the family's situation.
Ahmedabad, July 22 (NationPress) A distressing incident of attempted mass suicide has emerged from Vadodara, where a petrol pump owner and his family reportedly ingested poison due to significant financial turmoil.
The tragic event took place in the Gorwa locality, involving 52-year-old Subhash Nandesari, who, along with his wife and their three children, attempted to take their own lives.
Fortunately, prompt medical attention ensured the survival of all five family members. As per reports from police and medical staff, Subhash Nandesari, who operates a petrol station in the GIDC sector, consumed a toxic substance alongside his 49-year-old wife, 23-year-old son, 17-year-old daughter, and 5-year-old son.
The family managed to vomit shortly after ingestion and reached Sayaji Hospital independently. Their lives were saved thanks to immediate medical intervention.
Investigations by the police revealed that Nandesari was grappling with severe financial strain. He had incurred a hefty loan from a bank and additional debts from relatives to sustain his petrol pump business, totaling an estimated Rs 6 crore.
In his statement to the authorities, Nandesari attributed the unbearable debt burden as the driving factor behind their desperate action.
Authorities are actively continuing their investigation while the family is under observation at the hospital. Over the last three fiscal years (2020‑21 to 2022‑23), Gujarat reported a staggering 25,478 suicides, including 495 students. The numbers show 8,307 cases in 2020‑21, 8,614 in 2021‑22, and 8,557 in 2022‑23, contributing to a concerning suicide rate of approximately 11.6 per lakh population.
Major cities like Ahmedabad (3,280 deaths), Surat (2,862), and Rajkot (1,287) recorded the highest suicide rates.
In recent months, there's been a troubling increase in family-related suicides, with 22 mass suicide attempts within the last 15 months, 17 of which were fatal, occurring in districts such as Morbi, Vadodara, Surendranagar, and Surat, often linked to escalating debts or harassment from loan sharks.
Financial hardships have compelled many individuals to take drastic measures, with one-third of calls to Gujarat's mental health hotlines connected to financial losses often associated with stock market crashes or gambling issues.
Additional troubling cases involve recent convictions for aiding and abetting suicide related to predatory lending practices and harassment in Ahmedabad, alongside a broader state concern regarding couple-and-child suicides in Patan and Sabarkantha, reflecting a growing crisis due to loan-related stress.