Five of a family in Baran die after taking tea

Jaipur, February 17: Five members of a family, including a child, died while five others have been admitted to a hospital in a critical condition after they consumed spurious tea in Baran on Thursday. What made the tea poisonous is being investigated as police said they are completely relying on the forensic report due to lack of any obvious evidence on the spot.

According to the police, the incident took place inKoyala village under the Baran Sadar police station area. The deceased have been identified as Ramji Lal (40), his wife Kali Bai (35), their daughter Sajan Kumari (5), Ramji Lal's father-in-law Beerbal (65) and Beebal's wife Bacchi Bai (60).

"All of them belong to the Saharia tribe. Ramji Lal, a labourer, had been staying at his in-laws' house for the past two years," said Baran SP Baran K B Vandana. She said five others including Ramji Lal's daughter Raju Bai (6), his son Banwari Lal (8), Beerbal's son Ramswaroop (35), Ramswaroop's son Surendra (5) and his daughter Pinki (14) are undergoing treatment at MBM Hospital in Kota. Their condition is stated to be critical.

The officer said Kali Bai had prepared tea and offered it to all the family members in the morning. "Ramswaroop who gained consciousness at the hospital in the afternoon told the police that the tea tasted bitter despite that they consumed it. Soon after that, they started falling unconscious," the officer said.

She added that neighbours checked on the family members and then informed the police. "All were rushed to a local hospital where five of them were declared dead, while five others were referred to the hospital in Kota," said the officer.

The SP said a forensic examination of the spot was conducted. "Samples of the tea and the utensils have been seized. There is no apparent reason what led to the deaths. However, it might be possible that the family members mistakenly used pesticide while preparing tea as both look identical. It is also possible that the pot in which tea was prepared was earlier used to store pesticide," she added.

The officer said police are also looking into the possibility of the tea being spurious or adulterated.