Jammu

The mysterious case of death of six members of two families in Jammu 10 days ago has turned out to be a gory story of an ailing and psychologically depressed 'patriarch' making them enter into a suicide pact as penance for ending their misery due to prolonged litigation, the burden of raising the specially-able children and disease.

The Jammu and Kashmir police said they have cracked the case with the testimonies of a local health worker and a plumber, who though didn’t know about the suicide pact, were privy to the strange behaviour of two families living in Sidrah, on Jammu's outskirts.

“They committed suicide by drug overdose. The two families were fed up with life due to disease and financial woes,” the Police handout said.

Chandan Kohli, SSP said that “one of the 6 deceased persons, Noor-ul-Habib had convinced 5 members of a family including an elderly woman Sakina, her specially-abled daughter, son, another daughter, and grandson to commit suicide.”

Noor-ul-Habib belonged to Kashmir and he had shifted to this house in 1997. Sakina, who lived nearby, worked as domestic help in his house. Sakina received financial help from Noor-ul-Habib and both families became dependent on each other. However, both families were upset due to medical issues. - Sakina's two children son Zaffar Saleem and Naseema were specially-abled whereas one family member Sajjad Ali also had medical problems.

Noor-ul-Habib was also suffering from an incurable disease.  

Besides, Sakina was locked in several legal land disputes in her native Doda.

On August 4, Sakina appeared in court in one case and returned depressed. The two families discussed the court case and Noor-ul-Habib feared that she may be convicted. She had confided this conversation with Habib to some of her relatives. Noorul Habib convinced her that ending life is better than facing the sentence.

Noorul Habib convinced Sakina Begum, Rubina Bano and Sajjad Ali who all were very dependent on him to end their lives, police said.

The next day, they brought medicines that include Cannulas and saline drips. On August 6 Noor-ul-Habib called Sanjeev Kumar, a health worker, and asked him to fix the cannula in his and Sajjad Ali’s arms for infusion of the saline. 

On August 7, they infused drugs (a combination of medicines) to Zaffar Saleem and Naseema.

On his next visit, Noorul Habib asked Sanjeev to check their health condition. Sanjeev told Noor that both the patients had low oxygen levels and they must consult doctors.The same day Noor called Vijay Kumar, a plumber. He paid him Rs 2.5 lakh for digging the soil inside the compound of his house. He planned to bury the bodies of Zaffar and Naseema once they passed away.

On August 9, an unsuspecting Vijay dug the grave and also bought some medicines for Noor.

On August 12, Sanjeev was again called to deliver medicines and to check Canulas and drips. Zaffar Saleem and Naseema passed away on that day.

Soon after hatching the plan for a group suicide, Noor deactivated the CCTVs installed in both houses. He had placed Itr (Fragrance) dispensers in both houses. Those in the middle of taking their lives were made to wear diapers to check the smell of excretions.

After Naseema and Zaffar died, medicines were infused into Sakina, and later Noor, Sajjad, and Rubina also started having IV fluids.

On August 13, Noor-ul-Habib also canceled an order for home gym equipment that he had booked with a Jalandhar company.The next morning Sakina died. Noor, Sajjad, and Rubina came to the cty for purchasing more medicines. On the 14th afternoon, they made a call on Zomato and ordered food packets from Pahalwan sweets, a popular shop.

The next day, Rubina died and they called Sanjeev and met him outside the house in their car to re-fixing the Cannulas and medical examination of Noor and Sajjad. The same evening Noor and Sajjad also died.

The J&K Police is still awaiting a report of the viscera and forensic examination. However, the police have registered the case in Nagrota Police station based on the witnesses and other evidence.

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