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A dispute over property prompted a woman in Haryana to murder eight members of her family, including her former legislator father, said the Haryana police on Saturday.
Former Haryana state legislative assembly member Reluram Punia, his wife, son, one daughter, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren were found bludgeoned to death in their country villa in Litani village, near Hissar town on Friday morning.
Punia's 22-year-old daughter Sonia, who tried to commit suicide by consuming poison, is the prime suspect in the case and is currently recovering at a local hospital.
She reportedly left a suicide note that said, "I am fed up with my family for not giving me my due share of property and am going to kill them as well as myself."
Punia, a wealthy man who had successfully contested the state elections in 1996, after becoming popular by helping flood victims in Hissar the previous year, has apparently left behind property worth millions.
Police suspect that Sonia's husband Sanjeev, who is based in the Haryana town of Faridabad adjoining Delhi, has a hand in the murders. Investigators said it appeared unlikely that Sonia had carried out the murders by herself.
They also said it seemed the Punia family had been poisoned before being battered to death.
Sonia had reportedly gone to her parents' home to celebrate her sister's birthday. Ajit, the manager of the villa, was quoted as saying that celebrations went into the wee hours of Friday, with firecrackers being burst early in the morning. A domestic help found the bodies on Friday.
In a statement before a sub-divisional magistrate, Sonia reportedly said she wanted to die because she had been denied her share in the family property.
Indo-Asian News Service
EARLIER REPORT: Daughter suspected of murdering Haryana ex-MLA, family members
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