In a deeply tragic incident that has shocked the residents of Lucknow, three members of a well-known business family were found dead under mysterious circumstances at their home on Monday.
According to preliminary investigations by the police, the family appears to have died by suicide, allegedly after consuming a poisonous substance.
Authorities have recovered a suicide note from the residence, pointing to financial distress and familial tensions as possible causes.
Identities of the Deceased
The victims were identified as 43-year-old Shobhit Rastogi, a local businessman who owned a clothing shop; his wife, 40-year-old Shuchita Rastogi; and their 16-year-old daughter, Khyati, who was a student. The family resided in the Ashrafabad area of Lucknow, where the tragic episode unfolded.
Sequence of Events
According to police officials, the incident came to light when Khyati, who was still conscious at the time, made a desperate phone call to her maternal aunt.
In the call, she said that both her parents had collapsed after allegedly consuming a substance and were unresponsive. Alarmed by the call, the aunt immediately contacted the police and rushed to the residence.
When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they found the house locked from the inside. Using a spare key provided by the relatives, they forced their way in.
By the time they entered the house, Khyati too had lost consciousness. All three family members were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, but despite efforts by doctors, none of them could be revived. They were pronounced dead upon arrival.
Suicide Note Reveals Financial Pressure
During a search of the residence, police recovered what appears to be a suicide note from the scene. Although the note is still being verified for authenticity, it is believed to have been written by Shobhit Rastogi himself.
As per a senior police officer involved in the investigation, the letter describes the immense financial stress the family was under, primarily due to an unpaid bank loan that they had been unable to clear.
The note also reportedly mentions the lack of support from Shobhit’s in-laws during this difficult period, which added to his emotional burden. The contents of the note suggest that the family had been struggling silently for some time before ultimately taking this extreme step.
Ongoing Investigation
Senior police officials, along with forensic teams, are continuing their investigation into the incident. The house has been sealed, and samples have been collected for chemical analysis to determine the exact nature of the substance consumed.
Statements from family members, neighbours, and friends are also being recorded to piece together the final days and emotional state of the deceased family.
Initial evidence strongly suggests that financial distress, particularly the pressure of repaying a significant loan, played a key role in driving the family to suicide. However, police have not ruled out other possibilities and are examining all angles, including whether external pressures or disputes contributed to the decision.
Community in Shock
The incident has left the local community in Ashrafabad reeling with shock and grief. Neighbours described the Rastogis as a quiet, respectable family that largely kept to themselves.
Shobhit’s clothing shop had been operating in the area for several years, and while some residents were aware of the family’s financial issues, no one anticipated such a tragic outcome.
Local authorities and mental health experts are urging families dealing with financial or emotional stress to seek support and counselling, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and intervention before situations escalate.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding what drove a seemingly ordinary family to take such a devastating decision—and what more can be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
