Rajkot:
A couple and their daughter died while their son was in a critical condition after the family allegedly consumed a poisonous substance in a bid to end their lives owing to financial crisis, police said today.
The deceased include Praful Nariya, 38, his wife Rasila, 35, and their daughter Shivani, 13.
Mr Nariya's son Dhruv, 9, is in a critical condition and receiving treatment at a private hospital here, Gandhigram police station inspector K K Zala said.
"Primary investigation showed that Mr Nariya and his wife might have given pesticide to their children and then consumed the poisonous substance in a bid to end their lives at their residence on University road late last night," he said.
The incident came to light when Mr Nariya's father Dayabhai came home late last night and saw the four members lying unconscious on their beds.
"He rushed them to a private hospital where Nariya, Rasila and their daughter Shivani were declared dead on arrival, while Dhruv is still critical and undergoing treatment," the officer said.
He said Dhruv told police that his father gave him a tablet last night.
A suicide note was also found in the house, in which Nariyas has purportedly stated that they took the extreme step because of "unbearable" financial crisis, Zala said.
"Mr Nariya was into imitation jewellery business and borrowed huge sum of money for the treatment of his mother, who eventually died some eight months back," he added.