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Navy sailor, wife and two children found dead at South Mumbai home, cops suspect suicide
Cuffe Parade police suspect the sailor died by hanging and the wife and children by poisoning; bodies sent for postmortem
Friends and family members of Puranmal Shambhulal Mehra, an Indian Navy sailor who died by suicide last night, wait at the Postmortem Centre of JJ Hospital in Mumbai on 16 August 2026. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
A sailor, his wife and their two children, including a two-month-old infant and a three-year-old, were found dead in South Mumbai’s Navy Nagar, Cuffe Parade police, who are investigating the matter, told The Indian Express on Sunday.
The deaths came to light on the night of August 15, when police received information about a family found dead in Navy Nagar. “On August 15, we received information that a man was found hanging in Navy Nagar. When we reached the spot, we found one man, one woman and two children dead inside the house,” the police said.
“We are investigating the case. Preliminary information suggests that the sailor died by hanging. It is premature for us to determine the reason behind the family taking extreme steps,” the police said. The deaths of the sailor’s wife and their two children are suspected to have been caused by poisoning, according to preliminary findings of the probe.
“It is suspected that the sailor died by hanging and the wife and children died by poisoning. The bodies have been sent for postmortem and further examination. A detailed report is awaited to ascertain the exact cause of death,” a senior police official from South Mumbai told The Indian Express.
Police identified the deceased as Puranmal Shambhulal Mehra, 30, an Indian Navy sailor. His wife, Oma Puranmal Mehra, 28, their three-year-old son, Yash Puranmal Mehra, and their two-month-old infant were found dead on a bed, police said. The bodies have been sent to JJ Hospital for postmortem and further examination.
The exact reason for the family taking the extreme step is yet to be ascertained. “We are investigating the matter and an Accidental Death Report has been registered in this matter,” a senior official said.
In a statement, the Indian Navy said it was providing all necessary assistance to the family. “In an unfortunate incident at Navy Nagar, Colaba, an Indian Navy sailor along with his wife and 2 children were found dead at their residence on 15 Aug 26. Investigation is in progress by the Police and the Indian Navy is extending all possible assistance towards the same,” the statement said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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