Family and friends in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, were plunged into grief on Saturday after two sisters, who were set to be married on the same day, allegedly died by suicide just hours before their wedding ceremonies.
The deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Shobha and 23-year-old Vimla, daughters of Deep Singh. Both were employed as teachers at a private school. The sisters’ double wedding was scheduled for Saturday, but the celebrations were shattered by the tragic incident.
According to police sources, preliminary investigations suggest that the sisters may have consumed a poisonous substance, though the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after post-mortem examinations are completed. “It would be premature to ascertain the reason for their deaths at this stage,” a police official told INDIA TODAY.
Family members rushed Shobha and Vimla to a private hospital in the early hours of Saturday after noticing a sudden deterioration in their health. Doctors declared them dead upon arrival.
The family had begun preparing for their cremation when authorities were alerted, and police subsequently took custody of the bodies for investigation. The sisters were later released to the family following post-mortem procedures.
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The tragedy has sparked allegations of foul play within the family. Shobha and Vimla’s maternal uncle, Jaswant Singh, accused members of the father’s side of exerting pressure on the sisters.
He alleged that Deep Singh’s brothers had forced the family into arranging marriage alliances that had previously fallen through, claiming that the sisters took the extreme step due to this alleged pressure, particularly from Deep Singh’s younger brother.
Police confirmed that these allegations are under investigation as authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the sisters’ deaths.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting concerns over family disputes and societal pressures in marriage arrangements.