In UP, Wife Dead After Couple Attempt Suicide On Social Media Live: Report

A couple attempted to end their lives on social media live at Baraut, a municipal board in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh. The couple consumed poison. The wife has been pronounced dead, while the husband is in critical condition. The couple allegedly attempted to end their lives as they were troubled financially.

Trigger warning: The article talks about mental health and suicide.

On the live stream, the couple blamed financial troubles and "heavy losses in trade due to the implementation of GST" for the reason of their attempt. The SHO of Baraut Kotwali police station told TOI, "The wife died during treatment while the husband is critical." The husband named Rajiv Tomar is a shoe trader. He along with his deceased wife Poonam Tomar had reportedly consumed poison on February 8.

Couple Attempt Suicide On Social Media Live

It was the viewers of this live stream who informed the police, who then took the couple to a hospital. Few viewers even reached the couple's house to ensure their safety. The two live in Subhash Nagar of Baraut and have two children.

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Reportedly, during the Facebook live, Rajiv was wailing and sharing his ordeal. During this time, he opened a sachet and one tablet. As he kept crying, his deceased wife joined the live. During the video, they said, "I think I have the freedom to speak. I will pay the debts I have. Even if I die, I will pay. But I request everyone to please share this video as much as possible. I am not an 'anti-national' but I want to tell Modi ji, you are not a well-wisher of small traders and farmers. Change your policies."

While the family members of the couple reacting to the wife's death and the husband's condition said that they were aware of the financial losses but "never thought" that the couple would try to end their lives.

This is not the first time that a couple in Uttar Pradesh have tried to end their lives by streaming it live on Facebook. In January last year, upset over the families not accepting their relationship, a couple tried to end their lives while streaming it online. The police said that they had allegedly uploaded a video, where they were putting something in their mouth and talking about jumping in the river. It took place in Kulharia village.