Three of family found dead

Three members of a family were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Kolkata's twin town Howrah Thursday.

Police said a couple and their son had probably died of asphyxiation.

Family sources said Ranjan Paral, a retired government schoolteacher, had been facing difficulties for some time, as he had not received his pension for the last six months. He was also depressed that his graduate son was still unemployed.

Ranjan's brother Ramesh said he rushed to the family's home at Kaibartapara Lane in Salkia - a Howrah suburb - after receiving an SMS from him that he would kill his wife and son.

Ramesh found the door locked from outside and informed the police and neighbours. The police broke the door open and found the bodies.

Howrah superintendent of police Niraj Kumar Singh said: 'Though we have found a suicide note we are not ruling out any foul play yet. A chemical substance was found oozing from the woman's mouth. We are conducting our investigation.'