SURAT: Days after a suspected suicide involving a family in Surat’s upscale Vesu locality, police have arrested the man accused of harassing them and allegedly driving them to take the extreme step. The accused, Vaibhav Rungta, was detained in Delhi after investigators recovered a three-page suicide note and recorded statements related to the case.
The deceased have been identified as Balmukund Khetan, a share trader, his wife Priyanka Khetan, and their nine-year-old daughter Bhavya Khetan. The family resided at Happy Elegance society in Vesu. The couple’s younger daughter, seven-year-old Pathvi, survived the incident.
According to police, the matter came to light on Tuesday evening when Priyanka called her father, Sanjay Agrawal, a textile trader, informing him that her husband had consumed pesticide. When Agrawal reached the apartment, he found all four family members unconscious. Neighbours alerted emergency services, and medical teams rushed to the scene.
Balmukund Khetan was declared dead at the spot, while Priyanka and their two daughters were taken to a private hospital. Priyanka and Bhavya later succumbed during treatment. Pathvi survived and is currently under care.
Investigators recovered a suicide note allegedly written by Khetan, in which he accused Rungta of prolonged harassment. The note claimed that Rungta had misused Khetan’s credit card to purchase clothes, a mobile phone and other items, withdrawn cash, and borrowed a two-wheeler that was never returned. When Khetan reportedly demanded repayment and the return of the vehicle, Rungta allegedly threatened and harassed him.
Based on a complaint lodged by Sanjay Agrawal, Vesu police registered a case of abetment to suicide and criminal intimidation and initiated an investigation.
During the probe, officers also found that Khetan had mentioned his pet dog in the note, expressing concern about its future and requesting arrangements for its care.
Police further revealed that Rungta had visited the family’s residence after learning about the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
