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Burari mass deaths: Handwritten notes reveal chilling details, Crime Branch to quiz relatives

Published

8 years ago

July 3, 2018

Burari mass deaths: Handwritten notes reveal chilling details, Crime Branch to quiz relatives

The mysterious death of 11 family members has not been ascertained whether it is a case of murder or a mass suicide. 10 of them were found hanging from an iron-mesh in the ceiling inside one room in Burari’s Sant Nagar area on Sunday morning on 1 July, whereas, the body of a 77-year-old woman was lying with her throat slit on the floor in another room.

Two of the deceased were children – both aged around 15, ANI reported. The bodies of the women and children were found hanging with their hands tied, blindfolded and mouths taped.

The deceased were identified as Narayan Devi (77), her two sons Bhavnesh (50) and Lalit (45), her daughters-in-law Savita (48) and Teena (42), her daughter Pratibha (57), and her grandchildren Priyanka (33), Nitu (25), Monu (23), Dhruv (15) and Shivam (15). The family owns a pet dog that was found tied on the terrace.

Cops suspect ‘godman’ spur Delhi family to commit suicide

Police suspect ‘spiritual’ belief may have pushed the family to take their own lives as some handwritten notes have been discovered that mention the occult and “ways to attain salvation”(Moksha).

Vinit Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North, said, “During the search of the house, certain handwritten notes have been found which point towards observance of some definite spiritual and mystical practices by the whole family. These notes have a strong similarity with the manner in which the mouths, eyes of the deceased were tied and taped. This is being investigated further to establish their links with the deaths,” Indian Express reported.

“Coincidentally, these notes have a strong similarity with the manner in which the mouths, eyes etc of the deceased were tied and taped. The same is being investigated further to establish its links with the deaths,” said Vinit Kumar, additional DCP (north) on Sunday.

What do the handwritten notes say?

The handwritten notes stated, “The human body is temporary and one can overcome fear by covering their eyes and mouth”. It was written: everyone should be blindfolded, shouldn’t be able to see anything except zero, use cotton stole or saree along with the rope, use dim lights, Bebe’ (grandmother) can lie down in the other room as she can’t stand, everyone should be more firm and think alike and carry the act between midnight and 1 am.

A note written on June 26 says ‘have to meet God on June 30’. The last one reads: “Stool ka upyog karne se, haath, aankh aur muu bandhne se hi moksh ki prapti hogi (Using a stool, and keeping the hands, eyes and mouth tied up will help attain salvation).” It’s still unclear if the notes were written by a family member or someone from outside. Cops are looking into the possibility of a godman having spurred the family to take the extreme step, Zee News reported.

How incident came to light

Around 6.30 am on Sunday, the milk supplier left a crate outside the shop as it was closed, but the main door of the house was open. Gurucharan, a neighbour, noticed the crate lying unattended. Finding the door open, he went upstairs and found that 10 of the family members were hanging from an iron grill meant for ventilation. The neighbour who had spotted the bodies had gone to the family’s shop to buy milk. When he found the shop shut, he went upstairs to call the owner and saw the bodies.

Police rushed its forensic team to the spot. The cops reviewed the CCTV footage of the area and found that nobody entered the house during the night.

“I informed the neighbours. In the meantime, I searched for Narayan Aunty, who was found dead in the adjacent room. At 7.30 am, a call to the police control room was made and the crime team reached the spot,” Gurucharan said.

Requesting anonymity, officers close to the probe said that apart from spiritual and religious books, they have found a register with the handwritten notes.

According to neighbors, all the family members were very spiritual and every day they would place a plank outside their house with handwritten positive quotes. For the past one week, Lalit was on a maun vrat (observing a vow of silence), neighbours said.

What the police found suspicious was that the placement of the 11 pipes is similar to the placement of how the bodies were found from the house. The police are trying to ascertain whether the four pipes placed in a different way signify the male members while the others denote the female members of the family. One of the pipes is placed away from the others, raising suspicions of whether that has any relation to the body of the elderly woman found on the floor of the house.

Police investigation

Police sources revealed that the deaths were planned days in advance. Three members wanted to commit suicide but later decided to kill the entire family, police added. The family’s pet Labrador was tied on the terrace. The police have also collected fingerprints from the dog’s leash and will use them to ascertain who was behind the crime.

The police have ascertained that Narayana (grandmother) was killed and a murder case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered. Meanwhile, the police are awaiting the post-mortem reports for the other 10 members.

The police say Narayan Devi’s youngest son Lalit Bhatia, 45, drove the “mass suicide” and jotted down the notes that included “instructions”. He began writing these notes in 2015. He had reportedly taken a vow of silence a few years ago but had recently started talking again, about “visits” from his dead father.

One of his notes appeared to predict doomsday and advised the family that they would be saved.

The entry read: “Antim samay mein, aakhri ichha ki purti ke waqt, aasman hilegi dharti kaanpegi, us waqt tum ghabrana mat, mantra ka jaap badha dena, mein aakar utar loonga aur ko bhi utarne mein madad karunga (in your last hours, while your last wish is fulfilled, the skies will open up and the earth will shake, don’t panic but start chanting the mantra louder. I will come to save you, I will bring you down and help with the others too).” Lalit Bhatia allegedly told the family that he received this message from his father and everyone should follow it.

Family relatives denied the reports of the 11 pipes mystery in the house

The relatives of the Bhatia family have filed a police complaint claiming that it not a case of suicide. The relatives have claimed that the family had never been under the influence of any occultist. “We have filed a police complaint because this isn’t a suicide case. I don’t believe in media reports. They had never been in contact with any ‘baba’,” Bhatia family’s relative Dinesh said.

What the police found suspicious was that the placement of the 11 pipes is similar to the placement of how the bodies were found from the house. However, the family relatives rubbished reports of the 11 pipes in the house having any relation to the deaths. “The pipes in the wall might have been for ventilation,” he added.

Sujata Nagpal, the daughter of the 77-year-old Narayan Devi found dead on the floor, said the media was speculating things and circulating suicide theories. “I used to speak to my mother every alternate day. Everything was going fine within our family. We are a well-educated family and do not believe in babas. It is not a case of suicide. The media has been speculating things and publishing wrong information that my family members committed suicide,” she said.

Another relative, Manoj Bhatia said, “I am in a complete state of shock. They weren’t staunch in their religious beliefs. We still cannot understand the reason (of the deaths) but this is definitely not a case of suicide.”

Lalit Bhatia’s sister Sujata, who lives in Panipat, wept over the unspeakable tragedy and said: “I can’t believe that they committed suicide. Everyone was so happy. Someone has killed my family and the police have to find them,” Zee news reported.

However, sources say that the investigation will consider all plausible angles and the case have been transferred to the crime branch. According to media reports, Crime branch will soon quiz the Burari relatives, India Today reported.

The Bhatia family, who are originally from Rajasthan, ran a grocery shop near the local gurudwara and also ran a furniture business.

Related Topics:Burari Suicide Delhi Police

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MEA responds after ITBP chief flags ongoing face-offs with China in Arunachal

India said deviations by Chinese forces from established patrolling patterns periodically disturb the situation along the Line of Actual Control, as the government addressed remarks by the ITBP chief about ongoing face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh.

Published

46 mins ago

October 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

India on Friday said that deviations by Chinese forces from established patrolling patterns periodically disturb the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made the remarks amid reports of continuing face-offs between Indian and Chinese forces at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue during a regular media briefing on October 23, following remarks by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur about the ongoing confrontations along the border.

“As we have noted in the past, the situation in the India-China border areas gets disturbed from time to time when Chinese forces diverge from established patrolling patterns,” Jaiswal said.

He also reiterated that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas was essential for the overall development of bilateral relations between India and China.

MEA stresses diplomatic and military engagement

Jaiswal said India and China continued to use existing diplomatic and military mechanisms to resolve outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations along the LAC.

He added that both countries had agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in appropriate areas to strengthen border management.

The spokesperson did not elaborate on the specific confrontations mentioned by the ITBP chief, with further questions on the details referred to the Ministry of Defence, according to reporting on the briefing.

ITBP chief confirms ongoing face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh

A day before the MEA briefing, Kapur said face-offs between Indian and Chinese forces had occurred at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and that the situation was continuing.

Speaking to ITBP personnel at a base in Alwar, Rajasthan, on Thursday, Kapur also discussed the force’s efforts to strengthen its operational capabilities along the border.

He said the ITBP had mobilised its newly raised Shaurya commando unit during the ongoing face-offs. He also highlighted the creation of drone platoons for border units and the development of a new training course to prepare personnel for battles similar to the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

The remarks came as the ITBP continued its modernisation efforts, including a greater focus on specialised training and emerging warfare technologies.

Border management remains central to India-China ties

The latest statements underline the importance India places on maintaining peace along the disputed boundary while addressing unresolved issues through diplomatic and military channels.

India and China have continued engagements aimed at managing tensions along the LAC. However, reported confrontations at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh have brought the border situation back into focus.

The MEA reiterated that peace and tranquillity along the border remained essential for the broader development of bilateral relations, while emphasising continued engagement to improve border management.

India News

Delhi High Court rejects Neha Bora’s plea against peace bond notice

The Delhi High Court has rejected AISA president Neha Bora’s petition challenging a police notice requiring her to execute a peace bond following her participation in recent protests in the national capital.

Published

1 hour ago

October 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Delhi High Court has rejected a petition filed by All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora challenging a police notice that required her to execute a peace bond before a special executive magistrate.

Justice Subramonium Prasad pronounced the order on Friday, October 23, after reserving the verdict following arguments from both sides a day earlier.

The notice, issued by the Special Executive Magistrate in New Delhi district on October 17, directed Bora to appear before the magistrate and execute a personal bond of Rs. 10,000 with one surety to maintain peace.

The proceedings stemmed from her participation in protests in the national capital, including a gathering at Mandi House on October 16, amid demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud.

Why Neha Bora challenged the notice

Bora approached the High Court seeking to challenge the notice, arguing that it was ambiguous and factually incorrect. Her petition also alleged that the proceedings infringed her fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

She contended that the notice did not provide sufficient material to establish a likelihood of a breach of peace. It also failed to specify the period, occasion or event in connection with which the authorities apprehended such a breach, according to her petition.

Bora’s counsel further argued that she had organised a separate gathering at Mandi House and was not involved in the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest call at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16.

The petition sought relief against the notice and the proceedings arising from it.

What the police told the court

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Delhi Police, referred to 12 instances of alleged violations involving Bora and argued that the proceedings were preventive in nature.

The police also referred to a gathering at which activist Prashant Bhushan and Cockroach Janta Party leaders allegedly called for a change of regime.

Bora’s counsel countered that she had attended a separate protest at Mandi House and that statements made at a gathering could not automatically be attributed to her.

The arguments centred on the basis for initiating preventive proceedings and the allegations cited in the notice.

Neha Bora was detained during a protest on October 16

Bora was detained on October 16 while taking part in a flag march with AISA activists demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She was released at around 6 am on October 17.

The peace bond notice was issued on October 17, the day she was released from detention. It directed her to appear before the special executive magistrate and explain why she should not be required to furnish the bond.

The notice referred to allegations including raising slogans during the Mandi House protest, participating in repeated protest-related activities around Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders, and encouraging people to join an unauthorised demonstration at Central Park in Connaught Place.

Bora disputed aspects of the allegations in her court petition, including the claim that she had instigated people to participate in the Central Park demonstration.

What happens after the court’s decision

With the High Court rejecting Bora’s petition, she has not obtained the relief she sought against the police notice. The notice requiring her to execute the peace bond remains in effect, according to reports on the court’s decision.

The dismissal concerns her challenge to the notice. The allegations cited in the preventive proceedings should not, by themselves, be treated as findings that she committed an offence.

India News

PM Modi to inaugurate Rs 169-crore RBI data centre in Odisha on October 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha on October 25 to inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s Rs. 169-crore data centre in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar.

Published

2 hours ago

October 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha on October 25 to inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Rs. 169-crore data centre at Info Valley-II in Jatni, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

According to the tentative itinerary shared by the Odisha Chief Secretary’s office, the Prime Minister is expected to arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar at around 4:30 pm aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. He will then travel by helicopter to the Khurda helipad before proceeding by road to the RBI facility for the inauguration.

The Prime Minister is likely to spend around an hour at the facility before returning to Bhubaneswar and departing from the state at approximately 6:30 pm.

RBI data centre to strengthen financial infrastructure

Spread across 18.55 acres, the new data centre is designed to strengthen the RBI’s data management, disaster recovery, cybersecurity and business continuity capabilities.

The facility will support critical central banking functions, including currency management, payment and settlement systems, and regulatory operations. It is also expected to serve as a backup to the RBI’s existing data centre in Navi Mumbai.

The new facility will be the RBI’s second data centre of this kind, following its existing centre in Navi Mumbai.

Why the data centre is located in Jatni

The site at Info Valley-II was selected for its geographical stability. According to an official, its location away from seismically active zones and high-risk international border areas is intended to reduce exposure to natural disasters and geopolitical vulnerabilities.

The project is intended to help maintain the continuity of essential RBI operations while strengthening the security and resilience of India’s financial infrastructure.

The foundation stone for the facility was laid by then RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on March 22, 2023.

PM Modi’s ninth Odisha visit since 2024

The October 25 programme is expected to be Prime Minister Modi’s ninth visit to Odisha since the BJP government was formed in the state in 2024, according to Odisha BJP vice-president Jatin Mohanty.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Chief Secretary Anu Garg have reviewed preparations for the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit.

The inauguration is part of efforts to strengthen Odisha’s digital infrastructure. The project is also expected to support the state’s ambitions in technology and electronics manufacturing, as stated by the BJP leader.