Ahmedabad, Jun 2: A minor and her mother died yesterday at a hospital here, taking the death toll in the alleged suicide attempt by a family to four, police said.
The five-member family had attempted suicide in Bavla, 25 km from here, police said adding that Ghanshyam Panchal (40) is the only person who is still alive, but is in a serious condition and undergoing treatment at a hospital here.
The girl, Krishna Panchal (17) and her mother Alka Panchal (38) died yesterday at the V S Hospital, where they had been admitted yesterday, Bavla Police Sub Inspector (PSI) A Y Bhaloch said.
Another girl, Twinkle Panchal (16), had died last night, Bhaloch said. While Ghanshyam's 13-year-old son, Jay Panchal, had also died yesterday during treatment.
Preliminary probe to ascertain the cause of the extreme step has revealed that the family was under pressure from money-lenders. Police also recovered a suicide note, which was produced by Ghanshyam's brother.
Ghanshyam, who was in the business of construction, had not received money for the work he had done for quite some time, Bhaloch said and added that the victim had demanded money from one Prabhatsinh Gohil, who threatened him with dire consequences.
Police have arrested Gohil for questioning and booked him under Section 114 (abettor present when offence is committed), 306 (abetment of suicide), 387 (putting person in fear of death or grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 507 (criminal intimidation by any anonymous communication) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 33 and 34 of the Gujarat Money Lenders Act.
Police have also begun hunt for money-lender Bipin Mochi, who fled from Bavla.
