Saharanpur, July 2 (IANS) A laboratory technician and his paramour allegedly committed suicide at a rented accommodation in Sadar Bazar area in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, police said on Thursday.

Preliminary police investigation suggests that the two may have died by suicide due to family opposition to their relationship. However, police said the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem report and forensic evidence are examined.

Saharanpur ASP Manoj Yadav said: “We received information that a person had locked his room from inside and was not opening the door despite repeatedly being asked to do so. Upon reaching the place we looked in from the window and since the situation was suspicious, we broke open the door in the presence of the neighbours.”

Forensic experts were called at the spot and detailed examination of the place was carried out, he said.

The man has been identified as 39-year-old Sam Kamanish, a native of Kerala, who had been working as a laboratory technician at Medigram Hospital in Saharanpur for the past ten years. The woman, 24-year-old Aastha, was a resident of the Gagalheri area and worked as a teacher at a private intermediate college.

“The man slit his wrist and partially hung himself from the window of the room while the woman had most probably consumed a poisonous substance. There are no wounds on the female’s body,” ASP Yadav said.

According to police, Sam and Aastha first met around four years ago when Aastha’s mother was undergoing treatment at Medigram Hospital. Their acquaintance gradually developed into a romantic relationship. Police said Sam was already married, but his wife had moved to Delhi several years ago for work.

Aastha’s family had reportedly opposed to their relationship.

On Wednesday morning, Aastha left home for college but did not reach her workplace. When she failed to return by evening, the family began searching for her and informed the police. Aastha’s father expressed suspicion that Sam might be involved, prompting police to launch an investigation.

CCTV footage from the hospital reportedly showed the two leaving together in a car. With the help of the car driver, police traced them to Sam’s rented accommodation later that night.

Police said the both bodies were sent for post-mortem examination. Aastha’s body has been handed over to her family, while authorities are waiting for Sam’s relatives to arrive from Kerala before releasing his body.

Officials said all possible angles are being investigated, and the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths will become clear after the investigation and post-mortem findings.

–IANS

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