The Burari Deaths case of 2018 sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving everyone perplexed and intrigued by the mysterious circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. In this in-depth case study, we will delve into the roots of this shocking incident that unfolded in Burari, Delhi. Let’s uncover the details and shed light on the events that transpired. The case has been widely covered in the media and has even inspired a popular Netflix docuseries titled ‘House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths,’ created by Leena Yadav and Anubhav Chopra.
The Startling Discovery
On a fateful day, July 1, 2018, at approximately 7:15 am, Gurcharan Singh, a neighbor who regularly went for morning walks with one of the deceased family members, visited the Chundawat home. To his surprise, Lalit Chundawat was absent from their usual walk. As Singh entered the house, he made a horrifying discovery – ten people hanging from an iron grill on the ceiling, while the eldest grandmother was found strangled. The front entrance to the house was left open. Alarmed by what he saw, Singh immediately alerted the authorities, who responded to the call at 7:30 am. Amongst the shocking scene, the family dog was the sole survivor, tethered to the balcony, exhibiting signs of distress and continuously howling.
Unraveling the Family Tree
To provide clarity for a better understanding, let us first establish the family tree of the 11 members involved in this tragic incident:
- Narayani Devi (80) – Mother of Bhuvnesh, Lalit, and Pratibha.
- Pratibha Bhatia (57) – Widowed daughter of Narayani Devi.
- Bhuvnesh (50) – Elder son of Narayani Devi.
- Savita (48) – Elder daughter-in-law, wife of Bhuvnesh.
- Lalit (45) – Younger son of Narayani Devi.
- Tina (42) – Younger daughter-in-law, wife of Lalit.
- Priyanka (33) – Daughter of Pratibha.
- Nitu (25) – Elder daughter of Bhuvnesh.
- Monu (23) – Younger daughter of Bhuvnesh.
- Dhruv (15) – Son of Bhuvnesh.
- Shivam (15) – Son of Lalit.
Residing across three generations, the Chundawat family was known for their sociability and active participation in societal programs. Despite their outward interactions, it would soon become evident that they had lived a more secluded life than perceived.
Key Findings from the Crime Scene
The investigation conducted by the Delhi Police and the Crime Branch revealed crucial details from the crime scene:
- Bhuvnesh, the elder son, had made efforts to release his bound hands, as evident from the marks on his fingers. The family members’ hands and feet were cruelly bound with telephone cables. Surprisingly, none of them displayed any signs of resistance. Their ears were stuffed with cotton, their eyes and lips taped shut.
- The family’s matriarch, Narayani Devi, was found deceased in the other room, lying next to her bed with marks on her neck from a belt. All family members had scarves around their necks, indicating their intent to hang themselves.
- Evidence of a ritual conducted the previous evening was discovered, with remnants of ashes scattered around. The same pyre had been used the day before the tragic event.
- CCTV footage revealed that Lalit’s wife, Tina, and their son, Shivam, were seen purchasing four chairs on June 28, 2018. Additionally, on June 30, 2018, at 9:40 p.m., Neetu and Tina were observed carrying recently acquired tools. Shivam, Lalit’s son, was captured on camera opening their plywood shop at 10:29 p.m., carrying a small bundle of wires upstairs.
- A register found in the house’s temple contained 11 diaries, spanning from 2007 to the night before the incident in 2018.
The Revelation of the Diaries
The investigation took a significant turn when the diaries came to light, as they contained not only evidence but also unveiled the entire mystery connected to the family’s life over the years. The following points from the diaries shed light on the case:
- The diaries were written in a conversational, authoritative, and instructive manner. The final page of the diary contained a set of instructions that ultimately led to the tragic events that unfolded.
- The most recent entry in the diaries, dated June 24, 2018, mentioned a ritual known as the “Banyan Tree Ritual.” It was believed to last for seven days, coinciding with the Badh Puja ceremony. The timing of the incident was stated to be around 1 am.
- The journals provided intricate details of the family’s daily life, along with indications of their involvement in mystical and witchcraft practices. It appeared that the family members were under the influence of a mysterious force or a third party.
- According to the diaries, Bhopal Singh, Narayani Devi’s deceased husband (who passed away in 2007), was considered the family’s leader. Lalit allegedly claimed that his deceased father’s ghost dictated the journals, and handwriting analysis confirmed that Lalit himself had written them. Lalit had been watching paranormal programs on YouTube and conducting online research on death and the afterlife. He convinced the family that his body was possessed by the soul of Narayani Devi’s late husband.
Lalit’s Troubled Journey
To understand the sequence of events leading up to the incident and Lalit’s transformation, we must explore his story and how he became influenced by his father’s presence, claiming possession:
In 1988, Lalit suffered a severe head injury in a bike accident. Later, in 2004, after relocating to Delhi, he was a victim of a brutal attack where he was confined and set on fire within his workplace, a plywood company. As a consequence, Lalit lost his voice. Medical professionals assert that such a loss of voice is rare unless there is physical trauma, injury, or disease affecting the larynx.
Despite the traumatic experiences, Lalit did not receive appropriate treatment or support for his recovery from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The family overlooked the doctor’s recommendation for a psychiatric evaluation, disregarding the implications of his psychological well-being.
Neighbors noted a change in Lalit’s behavior a few days prior to Priyanka’s engagement ceremony. It is likely that Lalit’s religious beliefs reminded him that no one should leave the house or move away.
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According to psychological analysis, untreated trauma can lead individuals to experience a certain degree of psychosis, where the mind loses its ability to make rational decisions. Hearing voices is a direct consequence of psychosis. Approximately one year after his father’s passing, Lalit’s voice returned.
The Role of Psychology
Following a comprehensive investigation and psychiatric autopsy, it was concluded that Lalit suffered from psychosis, gradually influencing his family members and leading to a case of “shared psychosis.” Shared psychosis, also known as folie à deux, is a rare condition where hallucinations or delusions are shared by two or more individuals in close connection. The non-psychotic person(s), referred to as the “induced” or “secondary,” becomes influenced by the “inducer” or “primary,” who has a psychotic condition with delusions based on a specific belief. In this case, Lalit was the primary inducer, and the family members unquestioningly adopted his delusions. It was determined that the family did not have the intention to commit suicide; rather, they were driven by the situation created by Lalit’s condition.
Conclusion
After a three-year investigation, the Delhi Crime Branch concluded that the Burari death case was neither a murder nor a suicide, as no foul play was involved. Instead, it was considered an accidental death resulting from shared psychosis. Prior to the cremation, the eldest brother had donated the family members’ eyes.
This case serves as a reminder of how little we understand about mental health. Stigma surrounding mental illnesses and disorders continues to prevail, often leading to tragic consequences. If we neglect the signs and symptoms and fail to address mental health issues, similar incidents may occur in the future.
