10. 2018 Burari Deaths (Delhi)

Another most shocking case was reported from North Delhi’s Burari on July 1, 2018, where 11 members of Chundawat family were found dead, which was alleged as “mass suicide”.

What Really Happened?

Gurcharan Singh, the neighbour of the Chundawats’, could not find Lalit, the elder son of the family during a morning walk. He also noticed that the neighbourhood shop which the family used to run was closed till late. Hence, to enquire about Lalit, he went inside the Chundawat house and got the shock of his life when he came upon the bodies of the family members, including young and old, hanging from the ceiling. He immediately called the other neighbours and informed the police as well around 7:30 in the morning.

Why the Murder?

Burari case is considered to be a “mass-suicide”, where a total of 10 family members out of 11 were found hanging within the house in circular formation, out of which two were men, six women and two teens. When found, they were all blind-folded and their mouths were taped; in some cases, their hands and feet were tied as well. And the 11th member was 77-year-old mother Narayani Devi, who was found dead in another room. Police probe revealed that she must have been strangulated.

Delhi Police Crime Branch that is probing the case suspects mass suicide/death of the members due to occult reasons. The psychologists involved in the case stated it to be due to “common psychosis disorder”, and it is possible that the deaths occurred in the middle of a secret ritual. Investigations are still on.

What’s the Status Now?

At first, the prospect of a normal family committing mass-suicide generated disbelief and was investigated from various angles. The case hinges on a total of 11 diaries recovered from the house which were maintained for a period of 11 years describing how hands and legs should be tied and various other superstitions. These diaries were found in the prayer room with tapes on them. The manner in which the bodies were found hanging in circular formation exactly matched what was written on the diaries. Another proof, which indicates towards mass suicide, is the last CCTV footage from the case, where two female members of the family, Priyanka and Neetu, are seen carrying stools and wires later used in the gruesome act. The diaries, mobile phones and iPads were sent for forensic tests. Recently, the forensic lab has concluded that the handwriting in the diaries matches the handwriting of two female members of the family.