MP’s Sagar district reports 4 mass suicides:14 deaths reported over domestic conflict, alleged betrayal spark concern

Sagar district has witnessed a disturbing rise in mass suicide cases within a year. Due to betrayal in relationships, family disputes and loneliness, 14 people have died in four separate mass suicide incidents reported across different areas of the district in the past 12 months. Most of the victims were innocent children, who had no idea until the very last moment that their own family members would end their lives along with them. Police investigation has revealed that domestic conflict and emotional isolation were the key factors behind these extreme steps. The incidents were reported from Mainai, Tehar, Khamariya and Chandpur villages in Sagar. In Khamariya, a man left his family after tensions over not having a son. In a case of extreme isolation, his wife allegedly threw her four daughters, including a 5-month-old infant, into a well and later hanged herself from a tree. In Tehar village, a man emotionally broken due to alleged infidelity by his wife consumed poison along with his mother, son and daughter, resulting in a mass suicide that shook the entire district. Police have also registered FIRs against family members in these cases. Read the four village stories… Case 1: Four members of a family consumed poison In Tehar village under Khurai police station limits, four members of a single family died by consuming sulphas on the night of 25 July 2025. The deceased included Manohar Lodhi (45), his mother Phoolrani (70), daughter Shivani (18), and 16-year-old son. Reason: Police investigation revealed that Manohar’s wife Draupadi was in an alleged extramarital relationship with a man named Surendra. The daughter had reportedly seen her mother in an objectionable situation with him. Mental distress caused by the alleged infidelity and ongoing tension led the entire family to take the extreme step. Police had registered a case against the wife and her alleged partner. Case 2: Mother throws daughters into well, hangs herself In Nanhidevari Khamariya village under Kesli police station limits, a mother killed her four minor daughters by throwing them into a well on 12 March 2026 and later hanged herself at home. The deceased were Savita Bai Lodhi (30), and her daughters Anshika (7), Raksha (5), Diksha (3) and 5-month-old Manisha. Reason: Preliminary police investigation found that the husband was unhappy due to not having a son and had left the home to live in Jabalpur. The woman lived alone in the village with her daughters. Loneliness and emotional distress are believed to have triggered the incident. Case 3: Mother hangs herself with two children In Mainai village under Rehli police station limits, a woman hanged herself along with her two children on the night of 25 December 2025. The deceased were Rachna (wife of Rajesh Lodhi, 32), her son Rishabh (5), and two-year-old son Ram. Reason: At the time of the incident, the male members of the family had gone to the fields. Initial police investigation pointed to domestic conflict and internal family disputes. Police have registered a case against family members and are investigating the matter. Case-4: Dressed like bride and groom, couple hangs themselves In Chandpur Muthiya Tola under Rehli police station limits, a newly married couple died by suicide on 2 April after hanging themselves using the same rope. Before taking the step, they had dressed up in wedding attire like a bride and groom. Reason: The deceased were 22-year-old Rajendra alias Golu and 21-year-old Kajal Patel. Preliminary investigation indicated family disputes. The father of the deceased alleged that a young man had been interfering in his son’s married life. Police are conducting a murg (inquest) investigation into the case. Extramarital affairs emerging as a key factor Assistant Professor Dr. Divya Bhanot from the Psychology Department said most individuals who die by suicide are between 30 and 40 years of age. She noted that lifestyles are changing and people increasingly desire expensive gadgets. She added that extramarital affairs and immoral relationships outside marriage are also increasing. According to her, this is happening because people are unable to emotionally understand each other, leading to rising stress in relationships. Many individuals are unable to cope with this stress and take extreme steps like ending their lives. Family and personal reasons emerge in suicide cases Former Additional SP Lokesh Singha said that in mass suicide cases, different reasons have emerged, but generally domestic and personal issues are the most common factors. He added that investigations are ongoing and necessary action is being taken in all cases.