Bhojpuri singer, family commit suicide in Bihar

Faced with a severe financial crisis, a Bhojpuri singer along with four members of his family, including two women, committed suicide by consuming poisonous tablets on Friday in Bihar's Rohtas district, police said

Vikas Rai, who was in his mid-20s, along with his father Santosh Rai, mother Sunita Devi, brother Vishal and sister Beauty Kumari committed suicide by ingesting poisonous tablets as they faced an acute monetary situation.

His youngest brother, Bholu, is battling for life in a hospital.

"Six of his family members consumed poisonous tablets, five died and one is battling for life in a hospital," Rohtas superintendent of police Shivdeed Lande said.

Vikash's father had sold his family land and house to launch his son as a Bhojpuri singer, and release his albums.

But Vikas's career as singer failed to click and his family was forced to borrow money on credit repeatedly from money lenders and others for survival.

"Police have recovered documents of sale of their lands. They were living in a rented house and facing a severe financial crisis. They were unable to return credit taken from several people and, thus, ended their lives," Lande said.

The incident occurred at Lala mohalla in Dehri On Sone. Police have recovered some poisonous tablets from the site.

"Some neighbours early Friday morning informed local police after they suspected something was wrong, police broke open the door to the house and found their bodies inside," a district police official said.