Ranchi: Relatives came from Calcutta and New Delhi as last rites of the Jha family were performed on the banks of Harmu rivulet here late on Wednesday afternoon, two days after seven members executed a death pact at their rented house in Arsande, Kanke, over mounting debts.

Kanke thana OC Rajiv Ranjan said the rites began around 4.30pm after kin of the deceased received the bodies from the RIMS morgue in the afternoon. "Three male and four female relatives received the bodies," he added.

Sachidanand Jha (65), a retired railway employee, wife Gayatri Devi (60), their sons Deepak (40) and Rupesh (30), daughter-in-law Soni (35) and grandchildren Dristhi (7) and Jangi (13 months) were found dead in two rooms of the single-storey house on Monday morning.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Deepak and Rupesh strangulated the others before hanging themselves. A 15-page suicide note indicated debt and a possible fraud as the trigger. Neighbours said the family was addicted to borrowing money to maintain an extravagant lifestyle.

General secretary of Jharkhand Mithila Manch Santosh Jha, who was accompanied by around 100 volunteers, assisted the relatives in performing last rites.

"They were Maithil people, originally hailing from Munger, Bihar. Hence, the rites were done in traditional Maithili style. The relatives included younger brother of Sachidanand K.N. Jha, who lives in Delhi, and nephew Umesh, a resident of Calcutta. They are well-heeled people and were shocked by the incident," Jha said.

While the last rites were performed, police took Kislay Mishra - a furniture store colleague with whom Deepak allegedly pulled off a scam - in remand for two days.

Mishra had been arrested from Park Street, Calcutta, on July 27.