What Tragedy Struck Pukhraj's Family? Husband, Wife, and Two Daughters Consumed Poison, Three Dead

In Tandera village of Noorpur, Bijnor, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded when four members of Pukhraj Singh’s family consumed poison due to unbearable financial distress. Pukhraj Singh, his wife Rameshia Prajapati, and their two daughters ingested sulphas at their home. Sadly, Rameshia (50), Anita (21), and Sunita (19) died, while 53-year-old Pukhraj remains in critical condition at Meerut Medical College.

Struggling With Debt and Poverty

The family lived in extreme poverty, residing in a hut without a permanent house. Despite repeatedly applying for government housing schemes under the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Housing programs, their situation did not improve. The burden of debt weighed heavily on them.

Pukhraj had taken a loan of three lakhs, which had escalated to six lakhs due to interest. His daily earnings, carrying bricks on a horse cart at a brick kiln, were barely enough to cover household expenses and interest payments. Instead of reducing, the debt kept growing, adding to the family’s despair.

Burden of Arranging Daughters’ Marriages

The family was also deeply worried about marrying off their two young daughters. Constant pressure from creditors demanding loan repayments every day added to their stress and anxiety.

Son’s Account of the Tragedy

Sachin, Pukhraj’s son who also works as a laborer at the brick kiln, shared that on the day of the incident he had gone to work early in the morning. He described how during the rains, water dripped through the plastic sheet covering their roof. He had been working overtime to buy a new sheet and was also supposed to pay a loan installment of ten thousand rupees, which was already overdue by two days.

Despite their relentless efforts, they were unable to gather enough money. Overwhelmed by the daily harassment from creditors and the crushing debt, the parents and sisters took the tragic step of consuming poison.

Legal Action Against Money Lenders

Following this heartbreaking incident, Bijnor administration has registered a case against ten individuals involved in lending money at high interest rates and two finance companies accused of harassment. District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur confirmed that a special team has been formed to investigate the matter thoroughly. Reports also suggest that some personal disputes related to loan repayment surfaced during the inquiry.