New Delhi: A man accused of pushing a Surat family to mass suicide has been arrested in Delhi. Vaibhav Rungta was caught by Surat’s Vesu police team through technical surveillance, days after Balmukund Khetan, his wife and elder daughter died after consuming poison at their home in Vesu, Surat.
What Happened
Balmukund Khetan, a stock market professional from Bihar settled in Surat, allegedly fell victim to credit card fraud by Vaibhav Rungta. When Khetan demanded his money back, he was allegedly threatened and verbally abused. Unable to bear the financial loss and constant mental harassment, the family consumed aluminium phosphide, a highly toxic poison.
On the day of the incident, Priyanka Khetan called her father to say the family had consumed poison. By the time an ambulance reached them it was too late. Balmukund was declared dead at the scene. Priyanka and elder daughter Bhavya died during treatment. Only seven-year-old Prithvi survived.
What the Suicide Note Said
A three-page suicide note written in Hindi was recovered from the house. The note detailed how Rungta had allegedly misused Balmukund’s credit cards and how the family was harassed and threatened when they tried to recover the money.
What the Seven-Year-Old Survivor Revealed
The family’s youngest daughter Prithvi, aged seven, is the sole survivor. During treatment she told relatives she had been spoon-fed something by her parents before the incident. Police believe the children were poisoned first before the parents consumed the substance. Her official statement will be recorded once doctors confirm she has fully recovered.
The Arrest
Vaibhav Rungta was tracked to Delhi through technical surveillance and arrested by the Vesu police team. However a Delhi court refused transit remand and ordered him to appear before the Surat court in person. The process to bring him to Surat is underway.
Surat Police is interrogating Rungta and investigating whether other moneylenders or accomplices were involved in harassing the family. The victim’s bank accounts and credit card transactions are being audited as evidence.
