Mumbai: Navy man found dead with wife and two children in Colaba home, probe underway

Police are investigating whether an unidentified substance may have caused the deaths of his wife and children. Representation pic/istock

[popcorn number="Aug 15" desc="Day police received information about the deaths" class="Default"]

A 30-year-old Navy man, Puranmal Mehra, was found dead inside his home at the Navy Nagar quarters in Colaba on Saturday, while his wife Orna, 28, and two young children were found dead on a bed in the residence. Police received information about the deaths on August 15 and registered an accidental death report.

Police probe

According to the preliminary inquiry, Puranmal is suspected to have died by suicide. Police are investigating whether an unidentified substance may have caused the deaths of his wife and children. No conclusion has been reached yet. Investigators are trying to establish the sequence of events inside the residence and determine whether the woman and children died before Puranmal. Medical, forensic, and other evidence is being examined to reconstruct the family's final hours.

Cause pending

JJ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Sanjay Surase told mid-day, "Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. The deceased were brought dead to the hospital." Police are examining material recovered from the house and will rely on the post-mortem, viscera analysis and chemical examination to determine whether poisoning caused the deaths. Forensic reports are expected to establish the causes of death.

The deceased

>> Puranmal Shambhulal Mehra, 30
>> His wife, Oma Puranmal Mehra, 28
>> The couple's three-year-old son Yash, and their two-month-old infant

Forensic evidence

Manish Kalwaniya, DCP Zone I
‘Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the four deaths while awaiting medical and forensic findings. The bodies were removed from the residence by the Cuffe Parade mobile unit and transported to JJ Hospital, where a panchnama was conducted before the post-mortem.'