A room prepared for what appeared to be a birthday celebration became the scene of a tragedy in Gujarat’s Amreli district, where a 40-year-old man and his five-year-old daughter were found dead.
Police said the man, Kishore Dhanak, a construction site supervisor, allegedly killed his daughter Himanshi before dying by suicide. The incident came to light after his wife, who had been staying at her father’s house since September 14, was unable to reach him and asked her brother to check on the family.
When the brother reached the house on Wednesday evening and received no response, the door was opened. Dhanak was found dead inside the house, police said. Further inspection led to the discovery of his daughter.
What made the scene unusual was the way the room had been prepared. According to police, there were balloons, candles and chocolates, while a paper bearing the words “Happy Birthday Himanshi” had been placed on the refrigerator, even though it was not the child’s birthday.
Police also said the child had been dressed in white and that a puja had been performed in the room.
Financial problems under investigation
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have brought Dhanak’s financial difficulties into focus.
According to the FIR, Dhanak had taken a personal loan and invested the money in construction-related work. He was reportedly expecting ₹7.25 lakh from business associates, but the payment had not come through.
The FIR states that he had been left without money and felt he had no way out.
Police recovered three notes from the room. According to the FIR, the notes referred to his financial difficulties and his decision to end his life. One of the notes also claimed that he had killed his daughter because he did not want her to suffer after his death.
Those claims are part of the material being examined by police as the investigation continues.
Police probe underway
The Police said Dhanak had been at home with his daughter on Wednesday when the incident allegedly took place.
Police have registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder. Further investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the deaths.
The case has brought together several unanswered questions—from the reported financial dispute and missing ₹7.25 lakh to the unusual preparations made inside the room before the deaths. Police are now examining the notes, the circumstances at the house and other evidence as part of the investigation.
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