In a tragic incident, four members of a family allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at their house in Officers’ Colony on Wednesday night. It is suspected that a financial dispute within the family was likely to be the reason behind their extreme step.

While Vikas Batish (40) and his 11-year-old daughter Khushi died during treatment, his wife Tamanna (36) and 14-year-old son Kanav continue to remain under medical care.

According to Vinarpreet Singh, SHO Civil Lines Police Station, they received late-night information from Government Rajindra Hospital that four members of a family had been admitted after consuming poison.

A team immediately reached the hospital and began a detailed investigation. The duty magistrate was also called, and statements from family members were recorded in his presence. Preliminary inquiry suggests that the family had been facing disputes over financial matters for some time.

Batish, who had earlier worked as an officer in a private bank, had been unemployed for some time and was reportedly troubled by financial issues.

Batish had arranged a loan of Rs 55 lakh for one of his close relatives, who allegedly refused to repay the loan installments.

The victim’s wife has reportedly recorded her statement before a magistrate, following which the police are in the process of registering a case.

It is learnt that on Wednesday evening, Vikas mixed poison in a glass of juice. He was the first to consume it, and later he offered it to his wife and children.

Sources said the house owner came to know about the incident after a commotion broke out when the condition of all four family members began deteriorating.

Soon, residents gathered outside the house after learning about the suspected suicide attempt, raised an alarm and informed the police. The four family members were subsequently rushed to the hospital.