In a suspected suicide pact, an Indian couple and their nine-year-old son died after falling from the balcony of their 36th-floor apartment in London, British media reported on Tuesday.
The incident unfolded on May 27 when Rakesh Pai (47), his wife Aditi Paralkar (46), and their son Sid — who was said to be terminally ill — reportedly jumped off their apartment in the UNCLE tower block in London.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, the couple allegedly took the extreme step after doctors told them that there were no further treatment options for their son.
However, friends of the family have disputed suggestions that the deaths stemmed from a suicide pact.
Neil Coyle, Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, expressed grief over the incident
and said: “It’s a terrible tragedy. Just awful. Some constituents saw it happen. The suggestion was that the child was born in the UK with severe illnesses, which the police inferred contributed to their horrendous decision.”
Moved To London In 2000s
According to multiple media reports, Rakesh Pai and Aditi Paralkar had moved from Mumbai to London in the 2000s. While Pai worked as a financial consultant, Paralkar held senior positions in the construction sector.
Their son, Sid, had been diagnosed with various health conditions requiring constant care and attention, including a kidney-related ailment that left him unable to speak.
Paralkar used home-school her son, taking care of him round-the-clock, a responsibility that significantly impacted her mental health.
According to a family friend, she was juggling between a demanding job and the responsibility of her child. “Aditi had no family in the UK and also did a very demanding job, so it was very difficult for her to manage everything. It took a huge toll on her mental health, and I think it may have just got too much for her,” the person told the Daily Mail.
According to a report by the Metro, the couple returned to Mumbai six years ago, seeking better treatment for their son. However, doctors reportedly told them that there were no further treatment options.
The matter is currently under investigation as authorities continue to examine circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Suicide Prevention. News 18. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
