Family of five dies in suspected mass suicide

By Sumesh Rajan | July 20, 2025

Ahmedabad, INDIA: Five members of a single family were found dead late Friday July 18 night in what authorities suspect to be a mass suicide in Bagodra village, located in the Bavla taluka of Ahmedabad district.

The deceased have been identified as 32-year-old Vipul Kanjibhai Waghela, his wife Sonal Vipulbhai Waghela (26), their daughter Karina alias Simran (11), and two young sons, Mayur (8) and Prince (5). Preliminary investigations suggest that the family consumed poison inside their rented residence near the Bagodra bus station.

Vipul Waghela, who worked as a rickshaw driver, was reportedly the sole breadwinner of the household. The family originally belonged to the Devipujak community from the Barkotha area in Dholka.

Local police were alerted late in the night and responded swiftly, accompanied by a 108 ambulance team. Senior officers from Ahmedabad Rural Police, including the Superintendent of Police (SP), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Dhandhuka Division, and officers from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Special Operations Group (SOG), and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) all arrived on the scene to initiate a detailed investigation.

The bodies have been sent to Bagodra Community Health Centre for post-mortem examination. As of now, authorities have not confirmed a motive behind the apparent suicide, and no suicide note has been recovered.

Officials have indicated that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

This heartbreaking incident has prompted calls for greater awareness and support for mental health and financial distress among vulnerable families in rural India.