Four members of a family from Bengaluru, a 50-year-old man, his 78-year-old mother and his two sisters aged 48 and 43 – were found dead inside a room at the Digambar Jain Dharamshala in Rajgir, Bihar, on Friday. Their bodies were discovered hanging after staff alerted police about a foul smell coming from the locked room.
Investigators believe the group had been staying at the rest house since January 31 and were last seen on February 2, suggesting the deaths may have occurred several days earlier. Police have launched a detailed probe to determine whether the incident was a case of suicide or murder.
Evidence including mobile phones, identity documents, cash amounting to ₹1.18 lakh and strips of sleeping pills has been recovered. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed, forensic examinations are underway, and autopsy reports are awaited to confirm the exact cause and time of death.
Mystery Deepens After Grim Discovery in Rajgir
The tragic incident came to light on Friday morning when employees of the dharamshala noticed a strong foul odour emanating from one of the rooms. After repeated knocks went unanswered, the management informed local police.
Officers arrived at the site and forced open the door in the presence of a magistrate, where they found the four bodies hanging from different corners of the room. According to preliminary findings, the victims had checked into the dharamshala on January 31, claiming they had returned from Nepal and were visiting Rajgir as part of a pilgrimage tour.
Dharamshala in-charge Mukesh Jain told investigators that only one of the guests had produced an Aadhaar card at the time of check-in, identifying himself as a resident of Bengaluru, while the others had no identity proof. “The four people came together and said they were tourists.
After February 2, none of the staff saw them again. We assumed they were resting or had gone out,” Jain said. Police officers confirmed that the room had remained closed for several days and no one had raised concerns until the smell became unbearable.
Rajgir Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sunil Kumar Singh stated that a thorough investigation was underway. “We are examining CCTV footage from the dharamshala and nearby areas, collecting mobile phone call records and speaking to everyone who may have interacted with them.
All possible angles are being considered, including suicide, financial problems or any conspiracy,” he said. A forensic team has collected samples from the room, and a medical board will conduct post-mortem examinations to establish critical details.
Family Identified, Evidence Raises Questions
Police later identified the deceased as members of a single family originally from Gubbi in Karnataka’s Tumkur district. The group reportedly consisted of an elderly mother, her son and two daughters, all of whom were residents of Bengaluru. Officials have informed their relatives and are in the process of coordinating with authorities in Karnataka to trace further background information.
The recovery of around 25 strips of sleeping pills from the room has added a complex dimension to the investigation. Officers also found ₹1.18 lakh in cash and personal belongings neatly kept inside the room. While the presence of sleeping pills has led to initial speculation about a possible suicide pact, police have made it clear that no conclusion can be drawn until forensic and autopsy reports are received.
“We cannot rule out anything at this stage. The post-mortem will help determine whether the deaths occurred simultaneously and whether any external injuries or signs of struggle were present,” an investigating officer said. The SIT has been tasked with reconstructing the family’s movements over the past week, including their travel history from Bengaluru to Nepal and then to Rajgir.
Rajgir, a prominent religious and tourist destination in Bihar, attracts thousands of visitors every day to sites such as the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Ghora Katora Lake, Naulakha Jain Temple and the ancient Nalanda University ruins. The Digambar Jain Dharamshala, which has 55 rooms and is usually filled with pilgrims, was almost fully occupied at the time of the incident. The sudden deaths have left both staff and visitors shaken, with many expressing disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in a busy and respected establishment.
Local authorities have sealed the room and intensified security around the premises while the investigation continues. Statements from dharamshala employees, other guests and nearby shopkeepers are being recorded to establish whether the family had displayed any unusual behaviour in the days leading up to their deaths.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This heartbreaking incident is a stark reminder of how fragile human lives and circumstances can be. At present, the facts remain uncertain, and it is vital that the investigation proceeds methodically, without sensationalism or premature conclusions. Tragedies involving multiple deaths often generate rumours and speculation, but responsible journalism and public discourse demand restraint, empathy and respect for the affected families.
Whether the final findings point to suicide, foul play or a complex personal crisis, the situation highlights the need for greater awareness around mental health, social support systems and timely intervention. Travellers and pilgrims frequently stay in public accommodations across India, and ensuring their safety requires vigilance from both management and local authorities. Equally important is creating an environment where individuals and families in distress feel able to seek help without fear of stigma.
