Four Jain pilgrims found hanging at dharamshala in Bihar’s Rajgir

The suspicious death of four Jain pilgrims in Rajgir, Bihar, has sent a shockwave, as the tourists’ bodies were found on Friday hanging in a room locked from inside.

They had come to Rajgir on 31 January and stayed at the Digambar Jain dharamshala in Rajgir. The dharamshala staff last saw them in the premises on 2 February.

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On Friday, the dharamshala management alerted the police after a strong foul smell was noticed coming from Room No. 6AB. When the police opened the room, all the bodies were found hanging inside the room.

The deceased include two men and two women. All of them had come from Bengaluru to visit Bihar.

According to the Aadhaar card submitted at the dharamshala, one of the tourists was identified as AR Nag Prasad. Efforts are underway to identify the remaining three. According to reports, all four pilgrims had reached Bihar after visiting Nepal.

Station in-charge Raman Kumar Singh said that the bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem examination. The exact cause and time of death will be determined only after the report is received.

Meanwhile, the entire area has been cordoned off and the room has been sealed. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has also been called in to collect evidence.

Police are investigating this horrifying incident from multiple angles, including the possibility of mass suicide, internal disputes, a conspiracy, or other factors.

Thousands of tourists, mainly Jain pilgrims, visit Rajgir daily, which is a premier, ancient Jain pilgrimage site significant as the birthplace of the 20th Tirthankara, Lord Munisuvrata, and a place where Lord Mahavira spent 14 rainy seasons. The peaceful town also houses several other ancient, revered Jain temples.