Rajkot: 9 Members of Soni Family Attempt Mass Suicide After ₹2.75 Cr Payment Dispute

A case of attempted mass suicide emerged today in Rajkot. Nine members of a jeweler family consumed poison, and all were rushed to Civil Hospital. Their condition is currently stable. A family member stated that they took this step after a Mumbai-based jeweler refused to pay ₹2.75 crore owed for gold jewelry. Police investigations also revealed that the family attempted mass suicide due to their inability to repay a bank loan. The family consumed the poison either late at night or early morning, and they were hospitalized by noon.

Names of the Family Members Who Consumed Poison

• Lalit Vallabhadas Adesara (age 72)
• Minaben Lalitbhai Adesara (age 64)
• Chetan Lalitbhai Adesara (age 45)
• Divyaben Chetanbhai Adesara (age 43)
• Jay Chetanbhai Adesara (age 21)
• Vishal Lalitbhai Adesara (age 43)
• Sangeeta Vishalbhai Adesara (age 41)
• Minor (age 15)
• One member had minimal effects of the poison.

We Were Fed Up Due to Financial Strain, Leading to Our Decision for Mass Suicide

The jeweler from Govindpara in Gondal Road attempted mass suicide with eight other family members by consuming poison. They mixed the poison in a drink late at night. By noon, after regaining consciousness, they were rushed to the hospital. The businessman said that four businessmen from Mumbai, who had bought gold from him, stopped paying after initially being punctual with payments. This financial strain led them to attempt mass suicide.

Nine Family Members Arrived at the Hospital One by One

According to reports, an ambulance arrived at the emergency ward around noon, and nine members of the same family were brought in one by one. After they revealed that they had consumed poison, the medical team immediately began treatment, calling for additional staff from other wards. The doctors informed the police, and the Bhaktinagar police registered the case.

The Businessman Had Taken a Large Loan From the Bank

The jeweler family had significant financial dealings with a firm in Mumbai. When payments were not made by the Mumbai firm, the family decided to consume poison. Eight people have been admitted, while the ninth person had a minimal reaction to the poison. The businessman had also taken a large loan from the bank, as explained by a family member.

Contact With Mumbai Traders Began Several Years Ago

The nine members of the jeweler family, residing at Govindpara-2 on Gondal Road, were initially treated in the emergency ward before being shifted to Ward 7. Lalitbhai Adesara explained that he owned a jewelry business in the gold market. His father and brother were also involved in the business, which had been running for many years. They had begun dealings with Mumbai traders a few years ago, and initially, the traders made timely payments, earning the family’s trust.

Despite Months of Follow-Ups, Payments Were Not Made

Lalitbhai further explained that before last Diwali, four partners from Mumbai had purchased about three and a half kilos of gold jewelry from him. He was owed ₹2.75 crore for the jewelry, but the traders promised to pay after Diwali. However, they later insisted on receiving more gold before making any payments. Despite months of follow-ups, the traders still hadn’t paid, leading to severe financial pressure on the family.

Mumbai Traders Kept Giving 15-Day Promises

Family member Ketan Adesara said that they had been working as jewelers, making gold jewelry on order. They supplied goods to outside traders, who had not paid them. They were owed ₹2.75 crore by four traders from Mumbai. Despite repeated demands, the traders kept delaying payments, and it had been nearly 11 months. All nine family members consumed poison. The traders kept giving 15-day promises and threatened them not to approach the police. The traders included Vijay Kailasji Rawal, Prashant, and Mahendra.

Finally, Out of Frustration, I Decided to Commit Suicide

Lalitbhai further explained that, frustrated by the situation, he decided to commit suicide, and his family members also made the same decision. On Friday night around 11 PM, they mixed poison into a drink and consumed it. After losing consciousness, they regained their senses by noon and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The police have started taking statements from the businessman and all family members. This incident has caused a stir throughout the city and the gold market.

Business Had Stalled as Payments Were Stuck

Lalitbhai added that the Mumbai traders, Vijay Kailasji, Prashantbhai, Nirmalbhai, and Mahendrabhai, owed him nearly ₹2.75 crore. He had previously filed a complaint with the police. With the payments stuck, his business had come to a standstill, and they were forced to borrow money to manage household expenses. Frustrated by the situation, they decided to end their lives.

In Surat, a Family of Six Committed Suicide

On June 8, 2023, Vinubhai Moradia, his wife Shardaben, daughter Sainita (19), and son Krish (17) committed suicide near their home in Surat. Vinubhai, a father of four, took this drastic step, leaving his two other children, Rishita and Parth, who were not at home at the time, to survive. However, unable to cope with the loss, both siblings consumed poison and committed suicide two and a half months later. Thus, in just two and a half months, six members of the family ended their lives.

Father Worked in the Diamond Industry, Daughters Operated Machines

Vinubhai worked in the diamond industry in Surat, while his daughters operated machines in a lace factory. His younger son was still studying, and his eldest son, despite completing college, was unemployed. This caused frequent arguments at home, and Vinubhai’s anxiety grew as his eldest son, despite being of marriageable age, remained jobless.