4 commits suicide to attain 'spiritual emancipation' in Tiruvannamalai
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Tiruvannamalai: In Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai Girivalam path, four people were found dead at a private hotel. Of them, three were of a family, and all of them were suspected to have committed suicide, consuming poison, The New Indian Express reported.
Preliminary investigations suggest that they committed suicide to attain 'spiritual emancipation'.
The deceased were identified as Sri Mahakaala Vyasar (40), K. Rukmani Priya (45), K. Jalandhari (17), and Mukund Aakash Kumar (12), and all of them hail from Vyasarpadi in Chennai.
According to police, Rukmani Priya is a divorcee, and she, along with her two children, met Mahakaala Vyasar a few months ago. They reached a bond of mutual interest in spirituality and started travelling together. The group was so involved in 'spiritual' practices that they were regular visitors to the Karthigai Deepam festival that takes place every year in Tiruvannamalai.
After taking part in the festival this year, they returned to Chennai but came back to Tiruvannamalai again on Friday. They reportedly claimed that Lord Annamalaiyar and Goddess Mahalakshmi called them back to attain salvation, The New Indian Express reports.
Police said that a letter recovered from the scene of death detailed the four's intent to end their lives in pursuit of spiritual emancipation. There were video recordings on their cell phones which documented their actions leading up to the suicide.
According to hotel staff, the four checked into the hotel on Girivalam Path around 2 pm on Friday. The hotel staff interacted with them around 6 pm after the group requested and extended their stay for another day. However, on Saturday, the staff visited the four's room at 11:00 am; the door was locked from the inside, and repeated knocks went unanswered.
The Tiruvannamalai Taluk Police was alerted, and when officials arrived at the scene and broke open the door, the four were found dead.