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Delhi: In a chilling incident in Rangpuri, Delhi, the bodies of five family members were discovered in their flat. Initially reported as a mysterious tragedy, the case has drawn eerie parallels to the infamous Burari deaths of 2018, where an entire family died by suicide due to delusional beliefs and rituals. As investigations continue, the police are struggling to uncover the truth behind the Rangpuri deaths.
Neighbours Unaware of Family’s Struggles
For years, Heeralal, a 50-year-old man, and his daughters led a quiet and secluded life, rarely interacting with their neighbours, as per a report by TOI. Those living close by were completely unaware of the family's personal struggles until the tragedy struck.
A long-time resident of the building said, "The family was very private; Heeralal didn't talk to anyone. Recently, around 10 pm, I saw Heeralal taking his daughters somewhere in an autorickshaw. Sometimes, he would go to the terrace to check the water tank."
Another resident, who lived in the adjacent flat, also recalled the family’s withdrawn nature: "The daughters rarely came out of their flat. Sometimes I heard their voices like there was some argument going on, but they never talked to neighbours."
Discovery of Bodies
The discovery of five bodies in their apartment on Friday left the community stunned. The area, home to around 300 houses with nearly 2,000 residents, mainly tenants working in different sectors, was shaken by the incident. A 66-year-old resident explained the general isolation among tenants: "The tenants leave early for work and return late, so they have less chance to know what is happening in their neighbourhood."
Outside the family's flat, remnants of a possible religious ritual—lemons and a red thread—were found, adding to the mystery. Locals expressed their fears about stepping out due to both the foul smell and the chilling circumstances surrounding the deaths, as per TOI.
A water distributor in the area revealed that Heeralal’s family was the only one in the building that didn’t receive drinking water deliveries. "I always tried persuading him, but he would never entertain the idea and barely opened the door to talk," he said.
A Father’s Withdrawal After Wife’s Death
The family’s isolation became even more pronounced after the death of Heeralal’s wife a few months ago. A barber in the locality said, "Not once in the last six years did the man try to make any conversation with me. His elder daughter, however, a year or so ago, would still come downstairs to get groceries, but since her mother passed away, she stopped coming downstairs at all."
A local grocery shop owner, shared similar experiences: "Heeralal used to come to my shop often but never uttered a word more than about the biscuits or other food items he wanted to buy. After his wife's death, he even stopped coming to my shop altogether."
Eerie Parallels with Burari Case
The Rangpuri case has drawn disturbing similarities to the Burari deaths of 2018, where 11 members of a family were found hanging in their home. The head of the family, Lalit Bhatia, had become obsessed with the idea of reuniting with his deceased father through a ritualistic act of mass suicide.
In Burari, diaries were recovered from the scene, revealing the family's step-by-step descent into delusion. The notes documented Lalit's supposed conversations with his deceased father, leading the family to believe they would attain salvation by following specific rituals.
The Rangpuri case, although lacking any written records so far, is raising similar concerns. Delhi Police are trying to determine if Heeralal, dealing with the recent loss of his wife, might have been influenced by similar beliefs.
While no diaries or notes have been found to explain the tragedy, interviews with friends, neighbours, and relatives paint a picture of a family struggling in isolation, ultimately leading to their tragic end.