A merchant committed suicide after allegedly administering poison to his wife and two children here on Tuesday. .
The victims were identified as S. Vishwanathan (38), his wife V. Deivanai (33), son V. Gunasekaran (9) and one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Nishanthini. Vishwanathan, who ran a footwear shop in Srirangam, was found hanging, while his wife and children were found dead on the floor.
A bottle containing insecticide and another containing soft drink were found nearby, said the police.
Police sources said Vishwanathan had reportedly given a huge sum of money to a woman dance teacher.
The two had reportedly planned to start a dance school but had to shelve the project after they were unable to get a bank loan for the venture.
Vishwanathan is said to have given his own money and had also borrowed from others.
However, the woman had not repaid the amount to him.
This might have distressed Vishwanathan who, the police believe, could have been under pressure from those from whom he had borrowed the money.
The police have detained Sangeetha.
